FIFA World Cup Photos & Faces

UPDATE: France wins the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, defeating Croatia 4-2 on an own goal by Croatia's Mario Mandzukic (18') , a penalty kick by Antonine Griezmann (38'), and two beautiful goals by Paul Pogba (59') and Kylian Mbappé (65'). Croatia's goals were by Ivan Perisic (28') and Mandzukic (69'), who leapt on a major snafu by France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Croatia dominated the game from start to finish, but France pounced on several chances it got, ensuring itself a championship and giving fans a glimpse of the immense talent the team possessed this year, and will have for a few more World Cups to come.

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In past years I've provided some imagery to illustrate the World Cup and other major sports competitions (rugby!), so here are a few more photos from the matches. Enjoy!

Dylan Bronn (TUN) trapping the
ball while facing Dele Alli (ENG),
Group G match, Volgograd, June 18, 2018
(Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Europe)

England's players (Lingard, Maguire, Sterling,
Alli, Trippier, Kane) walk out for second half
vs. Sweden, July 7, 2018, in Samara
(Alex Morton/Getty Images Europe)

Midfield Kylian Mbappé before France's
game with Uruguay, July 6, 2018
(Getty Images)

Samuel Umtiti (FRA) battling Paolo Guerrero (PER)
for the ball, June 21, 2018
(Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

Nacer Chadli (BEL) tries to control the ball
while facing off against Gabriel Jesus (BRA),
July 6, 2018, in Kazan (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Europe)

Brazilian players showing dejection after Belgium
goes up 1-0 off Fernandinho's own goal
(l-r Gabriel Jesus, Alisson, Thiago Silva, Fernandinho,
Marcelo, Miranda, Paulinho, Willian), July 6, 2018,
Kazan (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Europe)

Nigeria's Bryan Idowu, John Obi Mikel and
Oghenekaro Etebo rush to protect the goal
against Argentinian supestar Lionel Messi
in Nigeria's Group D match against Argentina
in Saint Petersburg, June 26, 2018
(Francois Nel/Getty World Images)

Philippe Coutinho (BRA), on the right, races
to keep Romelu Lukaku (BEL) from controlling
the ball, July 6, 2018, in Kazan
(Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe) 

Belgian star Romelu Lukaku embraces French former
World Cup champion player and superstar Thierry
Henry, Belgium's assistant coach, after defeating
Brazil in Kazan, July 6, 2018
(Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

Bryan Idowu (left) and Alex Iwobi (middle) of Nigeria
try to keep Croatia's Luka Modric from reaching the ball
in the Group D match between Nigeria and Croatia,
Kaliningrad, June 16, 2018 (Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe)

Hector Herrara, Jonathan Dos Santos and Hirving Lozano
after their loss to Brazil, July 2, 2018, Samara
(Matthias Hangston/Getty Images Europe)

Cristiano Ronaldo reacting during Portugal's match
against Uruguay, June 30, 2018, in Sochi
(Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)