France Crowned World Champions In Russia

France have defeated Croatia 4-2 in 2018 FIFA World Cup final at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday evening to become the world champions again for the second time in their history.
Antoine Griezmann whipped in the ball Mario Mandzukic nudged it past his own goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.
But the Blazer responded for the fourth consecutive knock-out game in Russia through Ivan Perisic as he thrashed home a left-footed strike from the edge of the area to equalise.
Perisic then went from hero to villain, handling in the area to cost his side a penalty after the aid of VAR. Griezmann duly stepped up and rolled it home to gift Les Bleus the lead again.
The end-to-end nature of the game continued in the second half and Paul Pogba punished Croatia with a delightful third, curled into the left corner.
Kylian Mbappe fired home from distance, which proved to be decisive in securing the crown but Hugo Lloris howler for Juventus striker Mandzukic to pull one back.
France win the competition for the first time since 1998.
Setting the Scene
Both teams were unchanged, but the vigour in which Zlatko Dalic’s side attacked those in blue was very surprising considering their previous three games, including the semi-final win over England, were taken to extra time.
First Half
The Blazers harried Les Blues in possession and gave them very little time on the ball, winning it back in a number of promising positions but failing to turn those into clear chances.
Indeed, it was France that took the lead with their first meaningful attack of the game when Griezmann won a free-kick and subsequently clipped a cross into the box which Mandzukic - the extra-time hero in the semi-final against England just four days ago - could only glance into his own net.
Croatia's response to falling behind was good and Domagoj Vida put one header over the crossbar before Ivan Rakitic fired an ambitious first-time volley well off target.
Just 10 minutes later Vida found Perisic on the edge of the box and he smacked it into the bottom corner via the smallest of deflections of off Raphael Varane.
The biggest talking point of the first half arrived 10 minutes later, though, as France regained their lead in controversial fashion, with VAR used in a World Cup final for the first time ever.
Griezmann was forced to wait a long time before eventually taking the spot kick, but he kept his cool and send Subasic the wrong way to restore France's lead.
Croatia again responded well to falling behind, with Ante Rebic squandering a good chance when he mis-hit a shot after being found inside the area, sending the ball bobbling tamely into the arms of the keeper.
Second Half
The Blazers made a bright start to the second half too and it took a sharp fingertip save from Lloris to deny Rebic's goalbound effort just three minutes after the restart.
Mbappe provided a useful outlet for France during their time on the back foot, and he burst past Vida to create a chance for himself in the 52 minute, only for Subasic to come out quickly and thwart the youngster.
Pogba and Mbappe then lit up the arena like some of the lightning streaks nearby. Manchester United midfielder started and finished the move for the third goal.
Mbappe then appeared to play a game of ‘anything you can do, I can do better’ as his strike from further out also beat Danijel Subasic in the Croatia goal.
Croatia looked in danger of being humiliated. Instead, it was France keeper Hugo Lloris with a moment to forget, taking so long to clear a back pass he only succeeded in allowing Mandzukic to tackle the ball into the net.
France have now added football’s greatest prize to the one Zinedine Zidane and co claimed 20 years ago.

Source: FcNaija