France won the World Cup for the second time by ending battling Croatia's dream of a first title with a 4-2 victory last night in one of the most entertaining and action-packed finals for decades. France led 2-1 at halftime after a Mario Mandzukic own goal and an Antoine Griezmann VAR penalty, with Ivan Perisic briefly bringing first-time finalists Croatia level. Quickfire strikes by Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe midway through the second half put France on course for the title. The victory means that Didier Deschamps, captain of the 1998 side, becomes the third man to win the World Cup as player and coach after Brazil's Mario Zagallo and Germany's Franz Beckenbauer. Deschamps speaking through an interpreter says it really beatiful.

French coach comment on his team's 2018 World Cup victory

Belgian defender Thomas Meunier says they are hugely disappointed at failing to take their chances against France in the semi finals to get into the World Cup final, but says they will now have to shake off their disappointment and focus on finishing third. Meunier says its hard to play for the third place

Belgian defender expresses disappointment at failure to reach finals

Croatia beat England in the semi finals held yesterday making it qualify for the finals of the tournament for the first time. Mosibudi Makhura ahs the report.

Croatia going through to the finals of 2018 World Cup

"It's coming home" This is the chant of English football fans, a reference to the country's only World Cup victory back in 1966. The intervening years are known as "years of hurt". Currently there have been 52 years of hurt, but for many, England's progress through this tournament has created expectations that were not there just a few weeks ago and hopes are now full of victory against Croatia and beyond. 17 of the England squad were not even born for England's last semi final appearance against West Germany in 1990, which they lost on penalties. Now England fans are beginning to dream of reaching the World Cup final.

England's high hopes as they move onto the match with Croatia

England manager Gareth Southgate believes his team are "nowhere near" the level they will be capable of reaching in the future, he said this ahead of the World Cup semi-final against Croatia later on Wednesday night. Southgate says England's dramatic improvement since Euro 2016, which ended with a humiliating defeat by Iceland in the last 16, was down to the FA's backing. England have reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1990. Southgate says that although England had made history in the manner in which they had progressed, success in this tournament would mean a lot back home

England coach Southgate on his team's improvements

Channel Africa soccer fanatics looking at the FIFA 2018 World Cup. Were there any surprises in the last 16? In the studio to discuss the tournament is Luyanda Maome moderating the discussion, sports editor Thabiso Ntema, Kiswahili executive producer Michael Arareng, and the French service executive producer Jacques Kouakou.

Unscripted 2018 World Cup Report 02

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez says his team's concentration would be key in their semi-final encounter with France tonight and that the tactical adventure he used against Brazil in the quarter-finals was no guarantee to secure a win

Belgium's preparedness to face France

Belgium's defender, Thomas Vermaelen, is confident of victory against France in todqay's 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final in Saint Petersburg. Their splendid performance in this year's global showpiece in Russia, has led the team to believe that they can go all the way. It's only the second time in World Cup history that Belgium managed to reach the last four. They finished fourth in 1986. Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen says reaching the semi-final is a big achievement

Belgium defender confident of victory against Belgium

Croatia ended Russia's unlikely World Cup dream when they won 4-3 on penalties to eliminate the gallant hosts when a dramatic quarter-final ended 2-ALL after extra time in Sochi at the weekend. Ivan Rakitic scored the winning penalty to send Croatia into a semi-final clash against England. It was a night of unremitting tension, with Russia, 70th in the FIFA rankings, again defying the odds to take the 20th ranked Croatia to a shootout. Russia had already surpassed expectations by reaching the last eight, and brushing aside Spain on their way. Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov says his team exceeded all expectations to get to the quarter-finals.

Russia exceeded its expectations at FIFA 2018 World Cup

The 2018 World Cup quarter-finals are here and they kick off in mouth-watering fashion as Uruguay meet France this afternoon.
The South Americans have been defensively well organized all tournament but also had their attacking chemistry at play in the 2-1 win against Portugal, with Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez linking to devastating effect up front. This threat will not be lost on the French who need to tighten up a defence that leaked three goals against Argentina in the last round. But if Kylian Mbappe is on the same scintillating form in attack, Uruguay's formidable backline will have plenty on its plate too. Suarez says he knows that France also possess plenty of threat.

The 2018 World Cup quarter-finals are here and they kick off in mouth-watering fashion as Uruguay meet France this afternoon.<br>The South Americans have been defensively well organized all tournament but also had their attacking chemistry at play in the 2-1 win against Portugal, with Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez linking to devastating effect up front. This threat will not be lost on the French who need to tighten up a defence that leaked three goals against Argentina in the last round. But if Kylian Mbappe is on the same scintillating form in attack, Uruguay's formidable backline will have plenty on its plate too. Suarez says he knows that France also possess plenty of threat.

Suarez acknowledges threat that France possess in today's match

Updates for FIFA World Cup 2018 held in Russia

World Cup 2018 Updates

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