With France and Belgium, Croatia and England set for the semis, a UEFA country crowned world champion for the fourth straight time. European sides had taken six of the quarter-finals in Russia. The big continent still dominates on the world football stage.

Twenty years after their first World Cup triumph, France is the world champion again after beating Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final. Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe have been two of the players of the tournament. They scored four goals each to finish joint-second with a clutch of players. The attacking duo has sparkled throughout the match with Mbappe showing the world why he was the second most expensive player at the World Cup. 

Runner-up Croatia made their best attempt in the World Cup, as the Balkans was going to overtime for third straight games in the knockout stage, before they dominated with all wins in the Group D, beating Argentina 3-nil to show their forms in the generation.

Thousands of fans filled the historic Grand Place in Brussels to welcome home Belgium after their historical third-place finish in Russia. Martinez 's men conceded five goals in seven matches and their goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, was awarded the Golden Glove.

While England arrived back home after finishing fourth at the World Cup, they competed in their best result since the 1990 tournament, and the captain, Harry Kane won the Golden Boot with six goals.

Russia is another surprise European team, which won its first two games easily in securing passage to the round of 16, then upset Spain on penalty kicks. The host was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Croatia on penalty kicks, falling one step short of the Soviet Union’s 1966 ride to the final four.