To reach a World Cup final is a terrific accomplishment in itself, but to have the consistency to achieve this in three successful tournaments over a 12-year period is truly remarkable.
Only two nations have ever reached three consecutive World Cup finals and France moved to within one victory of becoming the third with their 2-0 quarter-final win against Morocco.
Didier Deschamps is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever managers of the French national team and he guided his country to a second World Cup success as they beat Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 final.
France then came agonisingly close to becoming the third team to win back-to-back World Cups as they played their part in one of the greatest ever finals - losing 4-2 on penalties to Argentina after Kylian Mbappe had scored a memorable hat-trick in a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes.
We've delved into the history books to reflect on the teams that have reached the final of the biggest tournament in international football on three successive occasions.
Teams to win reach three consecutive World Cup finals
West Germany (1982, 1986 & 1990)
After finishing top of both group stages and then beating France on penalties at the 1982 World Cup, West Germany were outplayed by Italy in the final as goals from Golden Boot winner Paolo Rossi, Marco Tardelli and Alessandro Altobelli secured a 3-1 victory and a first success for 44 years.
There was more final heartbreak for West Germany four years later as they lost 3-2 to Argentina at the Azteca in front of a massive crowd of 114,600 fans.
West Germany were finally rewarded for their incredible consistency in 1990 as they exacted revenge on Argentina at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
With the game looking like it was heading to extra-time, West Germany were awarded a penalty with five minutes remaining and Andreas Brehme wrote his name into the history books by scoring from 12 yards.
Brazil (1994, 1998 & 2002)
Five-time winners Brazil are the most successful team in World Cup history and they recorded a fourth success after an historic final in 1994.
Following the only ever final to be goalless after 120 minutes and the first to be decided by a penalty shootout, Italy's Roberto Baggio famously missed the decisive spot kick to make Brazil world champions once again.
Brazil's domination on the global stage looked set to continue ahead of the 1998 final, but after controversy around the fitness of star striker Ronaldo, France enjoyed the greatest day in their footballing history as they ran out 3-0 winners at the Stade de France to claim a first ever World Cup.
The brilliant Ronaldo was in the headlines once again four years later as he top scored with eight goals in the tournament and grabbed a match-winning double as Brazil beat Germany in the 2006 showpiece.
