When reflecting on the storied history of the France national football team, one question repeatedly surfaces: what are the RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France? This piece aims to pinpoint ten of the most unforgettable encounters in Les Bleus’ heritage — matches of drama, glory, heartbreak, and enduring legacy.
In selecting these fixtures, we focus on moments where France did not just participate, but left an indelible mark.
The notion of “RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France” will resurface throughout this article, emphasising their exceptional nature.
1. France 3 – 0 Brazil (Final, 1998 FIFA World Cup Final)
In a moment of national euphoria on 12 July 1998, France defeated Brazil 3-0 at the Stade de France to claim their first World Cup title.
That match anchors the RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France list because it symbolised the emergence of France as a global football power.
Zinedine Zidane’s two headers and a late third goal wrote themselves into history.
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jul 1998 | Brazil | 1998 FIFA World Cup Final | 3-0 |
2. West Germany 3 – 3 France (Semi-final, 1982 FIFA World Cup Semi-final)
On 8 July 1982, the famed “Night of Seville” saw West Germany and France battle out a pulsating 3-3 draw, followed by a 5-4 German victory on penalties.
This match qualifies in the RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France for its sheer drama and significance: extra time, brilliant plays, and a heartbreaking exit.
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Jul 1982 | West Germany | 1982 FIFA World Cup Semi‐final | 3-3 (5-4 pens) |
3. France 2 – 1 Italy (Final, UEFA Euro 2000 Final)
Though not as widely cited as the ’98 win or ’82 game, the golden-goal victory over Italy in the Euro 2000 Final deserves a place in the RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France.
It signalled a compelling era for French football and showcased a clutch performance on Europe’s biggest stage.
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| Date | Opponent | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Jul 2000 | Italy | UEFA Euro 2000 Final | 2-1 (golden goal) |
4. France 4 – 3 Argentina (Round of 16, 2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16)
The 2018 World Cup featured a thrilling Round of 16 for France: a 4-3 comeback win over Argentina.
Slow start, rapid response, and moments of genius from Kylian Mbappé made it one of the RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France.
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jun 2018 | Argentina | 2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 | 4-3 |
5. France 3 – 0 Croatia (Final, 2018 FIFA World Cup Final)
In the same tournament, France secured the title by defeating Croatia 3-0.
This match therefore belongs to the RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France as a crowning moment of a dominant campaign.
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jul 2018 | Croatia | 2018 FIFA World Cup Final | 3-0 |
6. Germany 0 – 2 France (Semi-final, 2014 FIFA World Cup Semi-final)
Although France did not win the tournament that year, their semi-final victory against Germany remains a key entry in the RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France array.
It reaffirmed their capacity to beat football’s giants on the grand stage.
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Germany | 2014 FIFA World Cup Semi‐final | 0-2 |
7. France 6 – 3 West Germany (1958 FIFA World Cup)
In the longstanding rivalry between France and Germany, one standout match is France’s 6-3 win on 28 June 1958, which illustrates why the RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France isn’t solely limited to finals.
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Jun 1958 | West Germany | FIFA World Cup | 6-3 |
8. France 14 – 0 Gibraltar (UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying)
In more recent history, France hammered Gibraltar 14-0 on 18 November 2023, setting a record for a dominant qualifying performance.
This match finds its place in the RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France not necessarily for the opposition, but for the statement the French national side made.
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Nov 2023 | Gibraltar | UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying | 14-0 |
9. France 1 – 1 Italy (Final, 2006 FIFA World Cup Final)
In the 2006 World Cup Final, France drew 1-1 with Italy but lost in the penalty shoot-out.
This match belongs on the RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France for its significance and dramatic narrative.
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jul 2006 | Italy | 2006 FIFA World Cup Final | 1-1 (Italy won pens) |
10. France 3 – 3 Argentina (Final, 2022 FIFA World Cup Final)
The 2022 World Cup Final between France and Argentina (3-3 after extra time, Argentina won on penalties) is arguably one of the most thrilling matches in modern football and thus completes the RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France.
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Dec 2022 | Argentina | 2022 FIFA World Cup Final | 3-3 (Argentina won pens) |
The concept of RANKED: Best 10 Matches Ever for France reveals patterns: a mix of triumph and defeat, triumph in finals and statements in qualifiers, historical rivalry and modern spectacle.
Through these ten fixtures, one can trace the evolution of French football — from underdog to dominant power, from artistry to grit. Each match stands as a pillar in the anthology of Les Bleus.
