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The 2018 FIFA World Cup ended on Sunday, July 15 afternoon with now two-time champions France defeating Croatia in an exciting final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
As expected early on France defended deep with Croatia trying to keep up their positive momentum of the extra-time England semifinal win. But there were no early clear cut chances for Croatia.
Then a controversial situation at the other end. Antoine Griezmann goes down outside of the box, referee Pitana points to a free-kick but there was no foul from Brozovic. Still given and no VAR used, Griezmann himself takes the free-kick and off the head of Mario Mandzukic the ball goes into his own net past Subasic, the first-ever own goal in a FIFA World Cup final.
But Croatia knows how it feels to go 0-1 behind as they have done in all their four knockout matches in this tournament. A free-kick for Croatia in the 28th minute, taken by Luka Modric, Vrsaljko head on, a contact, Vida lays it to Ivan Perisic, who puts the ball onto the left foot and bangs it in, 1-1 equaliser.
The match now picked-up even more in tempo and then a corner for France in the 34th minute, taken by Griezmann, headed on by Matuidi, contact with Perisic’s hand and the ball goes out.
Referee Pitana wants to play on with another France corner but his colleagues looking at VAR ask him to have another look. He goes out, takes his time, has multiple views and then decides to give the penalty to the shock of the Croatians.
Now it is Griezmann vs Subasic, who has saved four penalties in the tournament so far, but Griezmann sends the keeper the wrong way, France lead 2-1 after 38 minutes.
Croatia had their chances towards the end of the first half, but France go into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Croatia again were quick of the block and had the first chance of the second session, when in the 47th minute, Rakitic found Ante Rebic, but his good attempt was cleared by keeper Hugo Lloris for a corner.
But the goal came at the other end for France in the 59th minute on a counter. Mbappe is found on the right, via Griezmann the ball comes to Paul Pogba, whose first shot is blocked but his placed second beats Subasic for France’s third goal of the day.
Things got worse for Croatia in the 65th minute as Lucas Hernandez on the left simply played the ball into the middle, where teenager Kylian Mbappe scored a goal of a placed shot, 4-1 for France.
But the game wasn’t decided just yet as France keeper and captain Hugo Lloris gifted Croatia a gave in the 69th minute as he got a back pass, he wanted to put it past Mandzukic but hits the foot of the Croatian striker, now it was 4-2.
That was it as Croatia did try to get a third but it wasn’t to be while France had chances to score a fifth. In the end France won 4-2 to lift their second FIFA World Cup title.
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Final
France 4-2 (2-1) Croatia
Goals: 1-0 Mario Mandzukic (18′ own Goal), 1-1 Ivan Perisic (28′), 2-1 Antoine Griezmann (38′ pen), 3-1 Paul Pogba (59′), 4-1 Kylian Mbappe (65′), 4-2 Mario Mandzukic (69′)
France: Lloris – Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Lucas – Kanté (54′ N’Zonzi) – Pogba, Matuidi (73′ Tolisso) – Mbappé, Griezmann – Giroud (81′ Fekir)
Subs: Areola, Mandanda, Kimpembe, Mendy, Rami, Sidibé, Lemar, Dembelé, Thauvin
Croatia: Subasic – Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic (81′ Pjaca) – Rakitic, Brozovic – Modric – Rebic (71′ Kramaric), Perisic – Mandzukic
Subs: L. Kalinic, Livakovic, Caleta-Car, Corluka, Jedvaj, Pivaric, Badelj, Bradaric, Kovacic
Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)
Man of the Match: Antoine Griezmann (France)
