France have won the Football World Cup after 20 years in an enthralling final in Moscow where they beat Croatia 4-2 in the best World Cup final in recent memory, carting home the cup and $38,000,000 as prize money.
Croatia bossed the opening quarter as the French sat back and absorbed a ton of Croatian possession, but the deadlock was broken in the 19th minute against the run of play.
Antione Griezmann was fouled outside the box by Luka Modric to set-up France’s first set-piece.
The Atletico Madrid star floated in a delightful cross that Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic could only deflect past his own goal keeper for the opening goal; the first own goal in World Cup final history.
Croatia came storming back less than 10-minutes later when the outstanding midfielder Ivan Perisic smashed home a thunderous left foot volley past French goal keeper Hugo Lloris to level the scores. Nothing less than what Croatia deserved up to that point.
The game turned somewhat controversially in the 35th minute when France were awarded a penalty courtesy if a video review. An Antione Griezmann corner was met by Blaise Mutuidi at the near-post with his header deflecting off the hand of Perisic.
The referee initially waved off French protests; however on advice from the VAR he took a second look.
After reviewing the footage Nestor Pitana decided Perisic had illegally handled the ball and awarded a spot kick.
A decision labelled ‘idiotic’ by former Manchester United captain Roy Keane during BBC’s halftime wrap.
Griezmann slotted from the penalty spot to give France the halftime lead.
Croatia came out all guns blazing in the second spell with chances falling to defender Sime Vrsaljko and Ante Rebic whose left footed shot inside the box was brilliantly saved by Lloris.
France had a chance themselves moments later when Kylian Mbappe shot was deflected by Danijel Subasic in the Croatian goal.
The defining moment of the second-half came just before the hour mark when Manchester United midfield maestro Paul Pogba crashed home a left footed shot from outside the area to extend France’s lead to two-goals.
Second placed Croatia goes home with silver and $28,000,000 in prize money.
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