FRANCE BECOME NEW WORLD CHAMPIONS! Les Bleus outshine Croatia in an epic World Cup final to grab a 4-2 victory to lift the World Cup trophy!
2018 World Cup Final
4-2
Match Report
Didier Deschamps became the third man to win the World Cup as a player and a coach as Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe sealed glory for France.
France's array of superstars came out to shine as Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe fired them to World Cup glory with an emphatic 4-2 win over Croatia
Following a tournament packed with thrills and drama, the final at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium lived up to what preceded it from the moment Les Bleus hit the front through an 18th-minute own goal by Mario Mandzukic – a cruel role reversal for Croatia's extra-time hero in the semi-final win over England.
Ante Dalic's side had started the stronger and levelled through a fine Ivan Perisic strike before the Inter player was harshly adjudged to have handled in the box, as VAR made its first impact upon a World Cup final.
Griezmann converted his fourth of the tournament from 12 yards before Croatia pursued their opponents furiously once more at the start of the second half.
A pitch invasion from punk protest group Pussy Riot in the 52nd minute seemed a fitting precursor to the anarchy that followed, with Pogba and Mbappe arrowing in majestic strikes from outside the box.
An absent-minded error from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris allowed Mandzukic to put his name on the other side of the scoreboard, but Didier Deschamps was not to be denied his piece of history as the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach. Deschamps was captain of the Les Bleus' side that previously lifted the trophy back in 1998.
Match Events
11' Perisic's heavy first touch takes the ball away from goal
Perisic drifts in behind Pavard in the left inside channel as he attempts to control Strinic's lofted pass. He gets a boot on the ball, although not enough to take possession.
17' Mbappe attacks the Croatia box for the first time
A first glimpse of Mbappe as an attacking threat. He breezes past Strinic and gets to the byline, but his cut back is cut out at the near post.
18' OWN GOAL! France 1-0 Croatia (Mandzukic)
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! MANDZUKIC HEADS THE BALL INTO HIS OWN NET!!! FRANCE 1-0!!!
It's a goal that's come totally against the run of play! Griezmann whips a free-kick into the penalty area. The ball flicks off the head of Mandzukic and nestles into the far corner of the net. It's a big blow for Croatia, who started the game so brightly.
21' Vida's header over the bar
Chance of an immediate response for Croatia. Modric's free-kick picks out Vida but the defender's header sails over Lloris' crossbar.
23' A vital tackle from Vida to stop Mbappe
CHANCE! Pogba's pass releases Mbappe, who is one on one with Vida. The ball just gets away from the Frenchman and Vida slides in to make a crucial tackle.
28' GOAL! France 1-1 Croatia (Perisic)
GOALLLLLLLLLL!!!! PERISIC BLASTS CROATIA LEVEL!!!! 1-1!!!
Croatia are back on level terms thanks to a stunning strike from Peresic. Vrsaljko heads Modric's free-kick back across goal to Peresic on the edge of the penalty area. he takes a touch, shifting the ball past Kante before drilling a powerful shot past Lloris and into the bottom corner. Game on!
38' Penalty Goal! France 2-1 Croatia (Griezmann)
VAR intervenes in a World Cup final! The replays certainly showed the ball hitting Peresic's arm! The referee then blows his whistle and signals for a PENALTY TO FRANCE...
GOALLLLLLLLLLL!!!! GRIEZMANN CONVERTS!!! 2-1!!!
France regain the lead. Griezmann was coolness personified, letting the goalkeeper dive one way before rolling the ball into the opposite corner.
47' Rebic sudden strike tipped over the bar by Lloris
SAVE! Rakitic slides the ball through for Rebic, who takes on the shot first time. His left-footed effort stings the fingertips of Lloris, who tips the ball over the crossbar.
52' Mbappe scary speed almost gives France another goal
It's another fast start from Croatia but they are almost caught out by the Pace of Mbappe. He bursts past Vida before getting a shot away, but Subasic comes off his line to make a crucial block.
59' GOAL! France 3-1 Croatia (Pogba)
GOALLLLLLLLLL!!!! POGBA BLASTS HOME!!!! FRANCE 3-1!!!!
What a crucial goal that could prove to be! Pogba starts the move himself by releasing Mbappe. The French youngsters cutback reaches Griezmann, who lays the ball off to Pogba. The Manchester United midfielder's initial shot is blocked but he gets another chance, steering the ball past Subasic from the edge of the penalty area.
65' GOAL! France 4-1 Croatia (Mbappe)
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! MBAPPE PUTS FRANCE ON THE BRINK!!! 4-1!!!!
France are running away with this now as Mbappe comes to the party! He picks the ball up 25 yards from goal before drilling a low shot past Subasic and into the bottom corner for his fourth goal of the tournament.
69' GOAL! France 4-2 Croatia (Mandzukic)
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! WHAT IS LLORIS DOING??? MANDZUKIC SCORES!! 4-2!!!!
There's a no real danger at all as Lloris takes a touch. He has options to his right and down field but he chooses to pass the ball back to the left where Mandzukic is waiting. The Croatia striker cannot believe his luck as the ball hits his foot and finds its way into the back of the net.
0' Players are warming up and fans are waiting
15' Umtiti makes a timely clearance
Line-ups
France XI: Blaise Matuidi, Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kanté, Lucas Hernández, Benjamin Pavard, Kylian Mbappé
Subs: Steve Mandanda, Adil Rami, Steven N'Zonzi, Djibril Sidibe, Alphonse Areola, Benjamin Mendy, Florian Thauvin, Nabil Fekir, Thomas Lemar, Corentin Tolisso, Presnel Kimpembe, Ousmane Dembélé
Croatia XI: Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic, Mario Mandzukic, Domagoj Vida, Danijel Subasic, Ivan Strinic, Dejan Lovren, Sime Vrsaljko, Marcelo Brozovic, Ante Rebic
Subs: Vedran Corluka, Josip Pivaric, Andrej Kramaric, Milan Badelj, Lovre Kalinic, Mateo Kovacic, Dominik Livakovic, Marko Pjaca, Tin Jedvaj, Duje Caleta-Car, Filip Bradaric