- France win the World Cup for the second time!Champions on home soil in 1998, champions again in Russia in 2018..
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France beats croatia to win the Fifa World Cup for the second time by overcoming Croatia's bold challenge in a thrilling final in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
Didier Deschamps' side repeated the success on home soil at France '98 by a victory margin that hardly looked possible as Croatia stood toe-to-toe with the favourites for an hour.
Croatia also felt their luck deserted them, but ultimately France ran out victorious to erase the memories of the loss to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final in Paris.
In one of the most exciting World Cup finals of the modern era, played out to a soundtrack of thunder and lightning, Croatia and France delivered a enthralling spectacle that brought the highest goal tally in a final since 1966, a pitch invasion, and a controversial intervention from the video assistant referee that had a huge influence on the outcome.
France took the lead after 18 minutes when Antoine Griezmann's free-kick deflected in off Mario Mandzukic's head - but Croatia were by far the better side in the first half and deservedly equalised courtesy of Ivan Perisic's left-foot finish.
Croatia were left nursing a burning sense of injustice when France restored their lead seven minutes before half-time through Griezmann's penalty, awarded by referee Nestor Pitana for handball against Perisic after a lengthy delay while VAR was consulted.
In a compelling second half, France looked to have wrapped it up with two strikes in six minutes from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe either side of the hour mark.
Croatia, however, showed unbreakable spirit and even threatened a comeback when Mandzukic took advantage of France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris hesitating over a clearance to pull a goal back.
France closed out the win to bring redemption for Deschamps after defeat at the Euros two years ago, sparking wild celebrations and ensuring Lloris lifted the World Cup.
Summary
- -France win World Cup for second time, after winning in 1998
- -Deschamps third person to win the World Cup as both player & manager
- -Mandzukic gave France lead with first World Cup final own goal
- -Perisic levels before VAR deems him to have handled in box for Griezmann to score from spot
- -Pogba & Mbappe score for France before Lloris gifts Mandzukic goal
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