France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris holds the trophy aloft after the final match between France and Croatia. Photo / AP
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris holds the trophy aloft after the final match between France and Croatia. Photo / AP
France's 4-2 win over Croatia this morning was the World Cup final that pretty much had everything.
World Cup finals are notorious for being tense affairs with few highlights, and often few goals. But this morning's clash was fitting for a World Cup that will go down as one ofthe best.
Here's what happened in the final in Moscow.
18th min - Mario Mandzukic's own goal
France opened the scoring with the first real chance of the final as Mario Mandzukic headed a free kick into his own net.
Griezmann swung the free kick into a mass of French and Croatian players and Mandzukic diverted the ball into the net, just past goalkeeper Danijel Subasic's outstretched hand in the 18th minute.
It was the 12th own goal of the World Cup, an all-time record, and the first ever in a World Cup final.
It was the first goal in regulation in a World Cup final since 2006 — the 2010 and 2014 finals were both extra time 1-0 results.
Croatia's Mario Mandzukic deflects the ball into his own goal. Photo / AP
28th min - Ivan Perisic makes it 1-1
Croatia then levelled from Ivan Perisic in the 28th minute.
Domagoj Vida got the ball at a free kick and passed it back to Perisic on the edge of the area. The winger controlled the ball with his right foot and used his left to fire it past French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
It was the third goal in seven games for Perisic and the first goal France has conceded since its 4-3 win over Argentina in the round of 16.
Croatia's Ivan Perisic scores his side's opening goal. Photo / AP
Griezmann gave France a 2-1 lead at halftime with a penalty after the first call made using a video review in a World Cup final.
Griezmann hit the ball hard and left as Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subasic jumped the other way in the 38th minute.
The spot-kick was given after the ball bounced off the arm of Croatia's Ivan Perisic at a corner before hitting his leg and going out of play. Perisic had scored for Croatia to level the game at 1-1 in the 28th minute.
There was a break of about 90 seconds as referee Nestor Pitana discussed the call with his video assistants and reviewed the footage.
Referee Nestor Pitana from Argentina points to the penalty spot after a VAR review. Photo / AP
HALFTIME - FRANCE 2 CROATIA 1
Incredible! 100,000 fans have gathered near the Eiffel Tower in Paris to watch the game 😳pic.twitter.com/oXJEOYE2te
Just after Croatia goalkeeper saved Kylian Mlbappe in the 52nd minute, four people emerged from the other end of the field. One made it to the center circle. They were quickly tackled by security, and the match resumed after a delay of about one minute.
Before being hauled away, one woman managed to reach the center of the field and share a double high-five with France forward Kylian Mbappe, who had a shot saved a minute earlier.
"Hello everyone from the Luzhniki field, it's great here," the group said on Twitter, and released a statement calling for the freeing of political prisoners, an end to "illegal arrests" of protesters and to "allow political competition" in Russia.
Paul Pogba gave France a 3-1 lead from outside the box. The play started with a lengthy diagonal, cross-field pass from Pogba to Mbappe, who sped up the right flank. He dribbled around Strinic and crossed to Griezmann, who took two touches and cut the ball back to Pogba at the penalty arc. Pogba's initial shot was blocked by Lovren, and Pogba sent in the rebound for his first goal of the tournament.
65th minute - Mbappe's historic goal gives France 4-1 lead
Kylian Mbappe became the second teen after Pele to score in a World Cup final when the 19-year-old slotted a bouncing strike past Subasic from outside the box. Mbappe's strike all but secured the title, making it 4-1.
France's Kylian Mbappe,, center, celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal. Photo / AP
The French goalie and captain Hugo Lloris produced a shocker to give Croatia some late hope. With the ball at his feet he tried to get around a fast coming Mario Mandzukic. Mandzukic then pinched the ball off him and tapped in for an easy goal - becoming the first man to score at both ends in a World Cup final.
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris reacts after Croatia's Mario Mandzukic scored his side's second goal. Photo / AP
FULLTIME
The game ends as France claim their second World Cup title. The most goals in a final since 1958. The first own goal in a World Cup final and the first VAR decision in a World Cup final.
Croatia players react at the end of the final. Photo / AP
Great respect to the President of Croatia:
1. She did not miss a single match. 2. Travelled in economy class. 3. Always in the stands with the fans. 4. Values football. 5. Loves everyone. #WorldCupFinalpic.twitter.com/4667wItAPe
