Where the last three World Cup finals were won and lost

The World Cup final is the pinnacle of any player’s career. It’s the final destination for a team that have worked their way to the top of the international stage.

To reach the showpiece match is to be faced with a do-or-die scenario: win and become immortalised in the annals of sporting history, or lose and fade into irrelevance. There are no hiding places in football’s greatest showpiece occasion.

As we look forward to the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Argentina and France are each just one good performance away from glory. There is little to split the two sides in the Argentina v France betting, so it could take one moment of brilliance to make all the difference.

With that in mind, let’s take a look back at the last three World Cup finals, and how each of the respective winners got the job done.

2018: France 4-2 Croatia

While France’s presence in the World Cup final four years ago was hardly a surprise, it’s fair to say that not many expected Croatia to make it through to the showpiece occasion in Moscow. However, a sensational run left Zlatko Dalic’s men within touching distance of making history.

There was to be no miracle though, as France ultimately ran out 4-2 winners on a goal-laden evening in the Russian capital. An own goal from Mario Mandzukic gave France the lead after just 18 minutes, before Ivan Perisic struck back to draw Croatia level. Antoine Griezmann regained the lead for his side from the penalty spot, before goals from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe put the game beyond Croatia’s reach. A second Croatia goal scored by Mandzukic was a mere consolation.

It was clear that France handled the occasion better than their counterparts. Rather than appearing nervous due to their status as favourites, the embraced it and delivered a strong showing, albeit with the helpful hand of lady luck playing a part as well.

2014: Germany 1-0 Argentina

Having finished as runners-up in 2002 and as the third-place team in 2006 and 2010, Germany finally tasted glory in Brazil in 2014. Having ousted the hosts in a 7-1 semi-final demolition, they faced another South American team in the form of Argentina, inspired by Lionel Messi to reach the showpiece match at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

In a cagey affair, there were few chances throughout the match. Gonzalo Higuain thought he had given Argentina a first-half lead, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Apart from that, both teams struggled to establish any kind of control.

Mario Gotze’s winning goal came with just minutes remaining in extra time. Patience was the key to Germany’s victory. They held Argentina at arm’s length and then struck when it mattered most.

2010: Spain 1-0 Netherlands

We were guaranteed a new name on the trophy ahead of the 2010 World Cup final. Both Spain and the Netherlands had showcased some impressive form in the tournament, and it was difficult to pick a winner, although Spain’s run of clean sheets in the knockout rounds gave them a slight edge.

It was a controversial evening in Johannesburg. The Netherlands set out to make things ugly and disrupt the rhythm of a Spain side famed for their tiki-taka passing football. A series of horrendous Dutch challenges went unpunished by referee Howard Webb, but it was Spain who ultimately had the last laugh, as Andres Iniesta found the bottom corner with just minutes to go in extra time.

Spain had stuck to their principles in spite of the Netherlands’ disruptive tactics, and that is a credit to the talent of their team at the time and the experience of coach Vicente Del Bosque.