Putting an end to its 20-year-long wait, France on Sunday won its second FIFA World Cup title after defeating Croatia 4-2 in a high-octane final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. In a tournament filled with dramatic ups and downs, France stood tall in the end, keeping cool at all times despite not being in its sublime form in the group stage.
France took a lead in the 18th minute after Mario Mandzukic scored an own goal while heading away a free kick from Antoine Griezmann.
#FifaWorldCup2018 #WorldCupFinal | #France are ahead after Mario Mandzukic heads the ball into his own net.#FRA 1-0 #CRO #FRACRO
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 15, 2018
However, Ivan Perisic’s super strike soon found an equaliser for Croatia, after he received a super pass from centre back Domagoj Vida.
#FifaWorldCup2018 #WorldCupFinal | #Croatia equalize, and it's Ivan Perisic who scores a sizzler in the 28th minute.#FRA 1-1 #CRO #FRACRO
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 15, 2018
The high-voltage final later witnessed a major twist in the 38th minute, as the referee gave France a penalty after Perisic’s arm was not in a natural position as the ball struck his hand. Griezmann converted the penalty into a goal after sending the Croatian goalkeeper the wrong way.
#FifaWorldCup2018 #WorldCupFinal | Penalty for #France after referee goes for VAR to review Perisic handing the ball. Griezmann takes the penalty and scores (38th minute) as the Les Bleus take the lead again.#FRA 2-1 #CRO #FRACRO
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 15, 2018
Following that, midfielder Paul Pogba’s top corner in the 59th minute and Kylian Mbappe’s low strike in the 65th minute took the momentum away from Croatia and gave France a 4-1 lead.
#FifaWorldCup2018 #WorldCupFinal | #France double their lead, Pogba scores in the 59th minute.#FRA 3-1 #CRO #FRACRO
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 15, 2018
#FifaWorldCup2018 #WorldCupFinal | #France score their fourth, Kylian Mbappe into the score sheet. #France are almost there. #FRA 4-1 #CRO #FRACRO
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 15, 2018
Mandzukic did manage to decrease Croatia’s defect as he scored a goal in the 69th minute.
#FifaWorldCup2018 #WorldCupFinal | #Croatia pull one back and it's a howler from Llorris gives Mandzukic the chance to put the ball into the French net.#FRA 4-2 #CRO #FRACRO
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 15, 2018
Later, Croatia started to panic despite having 61 percent possession in the game, as they couldn’t manage to take the ball past French goalkeeper Lloris, with the match ultimately culminating in celebrations for the French side.
#FifaWorldCup2018 | #France are #WorldCup winners for the second time. Hugo Lloris lift the trophy in #Moscow. pic.twitter.com/8Mntxfu34P
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 15, 2018
To watch this high octane encounter, French President Emmanuel Macron, Croatia President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among the 10 country leaders present at the venue, which had around 80,000 capacities in total.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe won the Young Player of the Tournament, Luka Modric the Golden Ball award, Harry Kane who scored six goals won the Golden Boot award and Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove award.
