FRANCE 4 -2 CROATIA
2018 World Cup Winner: France Beats Croatia
France defeated Croatia 4-2 in Sunday’s final match, winning the country’s second World Cup title.
The nation’s first World Cup title came in 1998, when France’s squad defeated Brazil 3-0 at home in Paris. France lost a chance at a second title during the 2006 World Cup against Italy in a shootout.
For Croatia, it’s a boulevard of broken dreams, but they can go home with their heads held high. They dominated this match for long periods, putting France under immense pressure. France enjoyed a bit of luck but were ultimately worthy winners. As Dider Deschamps gets the bumps from his players, Antoine Griezmann stands to one side weeping salty tears of joy.
French president Emmanuel Macron celebrating at the Luzhniki Stadium. ??#WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/KpUdPsgaOt
— Champion Pirlo Wan (@ChampionPirlo17) July 15, 2018
France won the World Cup, with their stars Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé on the scoresheet, but Croatia will feel very hard done-by, thanks to an own goal, and VAR.
Croatia were the better side in the first half but fell behind when Griezmann dived to win a freekick, which the unfortunate Mario Mandzukic headed past his own keeper. A fine goal from Ivan Perisic got Croatia back on terms.
The Water Carrier! ????#WorldCupFinal #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/cq7AdgoB2C
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 15, 2018
But then the ball hit Perisic on the hand, the referee went over to the side of the pitch to check VAR, and awarded a penalty that was, at best, dubious. Griezmann nervelessly slotted it away.
After half-time, the French pulled away thanks to a strike from Pogba, only for a terrible blunder from Hugo Lloris to let Croatia back into the match. He tried to dribble past Mandzukic and the big striker had the simplest tap-in.
However, Mbappé scored to settle the matter and give France their second World Cup.
