Samuel Umtit's goal for France against Belgium was the only goal in the first semi-final of the World Cup. Les Bleus has reached their third final in the last six editions of the tournament. While they await the winner of the second semi-final that pits England against Croatia in the grand showdown in Moscow, the French look to claim their second World Cup crown.
The last ten editions of the world cup have been contested in various climates and locations around the world and have had countries battle one another of the coveted prize and title, world champions. The game of football has been mastered by a few institutions around the world and none more so than Bayern Munich.
The German giants have honed and developed players from around the globe for a number of years who have gone on to shine at the World stage. In the last 10 editions of the World Cup, Bayern Munich players have been part of the last 10 finals achieving a unique feat in world football.
The club has produced superstars in various positions and helped players from various countries better their abilities and game with world-class facilities and treatment. The Bavarians are skilled educators with a great love and passion for the game as well as a rich history of producing great talent. One of the main reasons for keeping this record alive is the success of the German national team.
Here we take a look at 10 Bayern players who have represented their respective countries in the final of World Cup in the last 10 editions.
#10 2018: Corentin Tolisso
Bayern Munich midfielder, Corentin Tolisso, part of the French national team squad at the World Cup will be playing the match of his life in the next couple of days against either England or Croatia in the World Cup final.
With France's progression to the final and with Tolisso part of the squad it is the 10th time in the row that a Bayern Munich player will be part of a World Cup final.
A smart, strong, creative midfielder who can also be played as an enforcer, Tolisso has all the qualities to play anywhere on the field.
Didier Deschamps might opt to use the player to counter the abilities of either Henderson, Lingard and Alli or Modric and Rakitic. Tolisso can also be a goal threat making him a more suitable option than Matuidi in midfield for the final.
#9 2014: Manuel Neuer
Germany has reached five of the last ten World Cup finals but it is a credit to Bayern that they always attract good talent and one player they bought to strengthen their defence was Manuel Neuer. The keeper proved to become one of the finest keepers in the world and became a world champions in 2014. Along with club teammates in Boateng, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Müller and Götze, Neuer lifted the World Cup trophy.
At club level, Neuer has won multiple Bundesliga titles, Cup, and a Champions League trophy in 2013. The keeper had a poor showing with the Germans this time out in Russia along with the entire team, as they bowed out in the group stages of the competition.
One of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time Neuer will be back stronger than before for Bayern at club level but will have to wait four years to redeem himself on the World Cup stage.
#8 2010: Arjen Robben
The first ever World Cup in South Africa saw Spain take on the Netherlands in the final and two Dutch players from Bayern Munich played in the final. Arjen Robben, the creative winger who still plies his trade for Bayern and Mark van Bommel a former Bavarian servant.
Both van Bommel and Robben played vital roles for the team on the way to the final, but the Dutch fell short to Spain. Robben has devasted opposition defences for a number of years in the last decade and won multiple honours in three countries, England, Spain and Germany.
It was with Bayern the Dutchman won the Champions League in 2013.
#7 2006: Willy Sagnol
Another Bayern Munich French fullback, Willy Sagnol appeared for France in the 2006 final defeat to Italy on penalties. A former Bayern Munich captain, Sagnol won multiple honours at Bayern including numerous Bundesliga and Cups and a Champions League triumph in 2001.
The Frenchman Sagnol, unlike his compatriot Lizarazu, fell short of World Cup glory in 2006 in the final. However, a highly skilled and hard-working player Sagnol proved to many he was a top-class player who could compete with the best in the world.
It was the seventh straight World Cup final in which a Bayern player represented one of the two countries in the final.
#6 2002: Oliver Kahn
One of Germany's greatest goalkeepers, Oliver Kahn won 86 caps for his nation during an 11-year stint as No 1 between the sticks. The closest Kahn came to lifting the trophy was in 2002 World Cup final, where his mistake led to Ronaldo grabbing one of two goals in a 2-0, as Brazil won the trophy in Yokohama.
Kahn enjoyed an illustrious club career with numerous Bundesliga titles and Cups as well as European honours in the Champions League. However, Kahn was not as successful for the country during his career but will still go down as one of the game's finest keepers.
Carston Jancker, Thomas Linke and Jens Jeremies was part of the squad for Germany and teammates with Kahn at Bayern.
#5 1998: Bixente Lizarazu
French defender Bixente Lizarazu was part of the great French 98 squad that claimed the World Cup trophy on home soil and then the Euro 2000 trophy a couple of years later. A Bayern Munich player during his greatest achievement in international football, Lizarazu was an excellent fullback with great technical and tactical ability.
A multiple time Bundesliga winner with Bayern as well as a Champions League winner in 2001, Lizarazu spent the majority of his career with the German giants.
The World Cup winner post-retirement is highly involved in martial arts, specifically jiu-jitsu and is a trained practitioner. The Frenchman is also a pundit and a keen surfer.
#4 1994: Jorginho
Former Brazilian fullback, Jorginho was part of the 1994 World Cup winning Brazilian squad and was a Bayern Munich player at the time. The fullback spent three years in Germany with the Bavarian giants between 92 and 95 and won one Bundesliga title during his time at the club.
A quick, technically gifted, and hard-working full-back, he is regarded as one of the best full-backs of his generation around Brazil and one of the greatest defenders the country has ever produced.
#3 1990: Klaus Augenthaler
Former German player and manager, Klaus Augenthaler was part of the country's 1990 World Cup triumph in Italy. The defender spent 15-years of his club career with Bayern Munich, during which he won seven Bundesliga titles and is widely regarded as one of the club's finest ever players in history. In 2005, he was named as a member of the greatest Bayern Munich XI in the club's history.
Along with Augenthaler, Kohler and Reuter were two other players who were also part of the 1990 squad that won the World Cup and played for Bayern Munich. He was capped 27 times during his career for the national team with one world title to his name.
#2 1986: Lothar Matthäus
Former German captain Lothar Matthaus led his country to victory in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Matthaus was the squad that reached the final of the 1986 World Cup as well, as the Argentines were victorious and crowned world champions. One of only three players along with Antonio Carbajal and Gianluigi Buffon, the German legend Matthaus has appeared in five editions of the World Cup.
He appeared 25 times, during his stint in the national squad in the 82, 86, 90, 94 and 98 editions of the tournament. A box to box midfielder, Matthaeus guided the side for over two decades, enjoying one of the longest international careers, in the history of the game.
A decorated player in all aspects of the game, winning every trophy in world football, Lothar Matthaeus is a German and football legend. With 150 caps for Germany, he is also the most capped German footballer of all-time.
Eder and D. Hoeneß were also Bayern players part of the 1982 German squad.
#1 1982: Karl-Heinze-Rummenigge
Former German forward Karl Heinze-Rummenigge was part of the 1982 and 1986 World Cup teams where the country lost the final to Italy and Argentina but watched from the stands as the country lifted the World Cup in 1990. However, Rummenigge won the 1980 Euro title and was a distinguished Bayern player with multiple accolades to his name.
Breitner and Dremmler were two other Bayern players in the German setup in 1982 that ended runners-up to Italy. An industrious forward and a lethal finisher, he is one of the few Germans who deserves to have the competition but has eluded him.
Currently a CEO of a Bayern Munich sister group called Bayern Munich AG, Rummenige is very much connected to the club and the game.