Anti-clockwise: Referee Andres Cunha from gestures for a penalty from France after consulting VAR, from which France's Antoine Griezmann scored, during the group C match between France and Australia at the 2018 World Cup, Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates scoring against Peru, Denmark's Christian Eriksen and France's Kylian Mbappe after their Group C match, Mbappe celebrates goal against Argentina in Round 16, French players celebrate their side's second goal against Uruguay and France's Paul Pogba celebrates after his team advanced to the final — Internet France, armed with a mix of prodigies and experienced campaigners, will face perennial underdogs Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2018 final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15.
After edging out Belgium in the semi-finals on Tuesday, this will be the third time France will play in final, report agencies.
It was in 1998 that the French team had won their first world cup after beating Brazil 3-0 in the final. However in 2006, they finished as runners up losing 5-3 on penalties to Italy.
Here's a look at France's journey so far this world cup:
Group matches (Group C:
Denmark, Peru and Australia)
France beat Australia 2-1 (June 16)
France beat Australia 2-1 in their opening World Cup 2018 match on after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system was used for the first time in the competition's history. Antoine Griezmann had a penalty awarded thanks to VAR and scored before Mile Jedinak equalised for Australia from the spot.
Paul Pogba's 81st minute shot bounced in over the line off the crossbar to give France a narrow win in the Group C clash at the Kazan Arena.
Defeat Peru 1-0 (June 21)
Kylian Mbappe's goal gave France a 1-0 win over Peru in their Group C match at Ekaterinburg Arena.
With the goal, Mbappe became the first teenager in history to score for France at either the World Cup or European Championships. Successive wins over Australia and Peru helped France reach the last 16.
France held by Denmark (June 26)
France secured first place ahead of Denmark in Group C following a 0-0 draw in Moscow that could set up a heavyweight World Cup clash with Lionel Messi's Argentina in the last 16.
Didier Deschamps' side dominated possession but struggled to create any clear-cut chances against a determined Denmark.
Round of 16
Beat Argentina 4-3 (June 30)
France pipped Argentina 4-3 to enter the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe scored a brace in France's victory over Lionel Messi-led Argentina. The youngster scored in 64th minute and then found the net in 68th minute to put France on top.
Quarterfinals
France won over Uruguay 2-0 (July 06)
France outclassed Uruguay 2-0 to enter the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2018 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
Raphael Varane and Antoinne Griezmann scored one goal each as France reached their sixth World Cup semi-final.
Semifinals
France beat Belgium 1-0 (July 07):
Samuel Umtiti headed France into the World Cup final in Saint Petersburg with a 1-0 win.
In a World Cup replete with set-piece goals, a corner again proved decisive when Umtiti timed his run perfectly to meet Antoine Griezmann's delivery six minutes into the second half.
France were thankful for fine saves from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris either side of half-time.
France have faced Croatia five times previously in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Les Bleus defeated Croatia last in the 1998 world cup with a 2-0 victory.
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