France defeat Croatia 4-2 to win FIFA World Cup Final 2018
France became the FIFA World Cup champions for the second time after a gap of 20 years. They defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. The first France goal came off a Croatian’s header. The second was scored with the aid of the Argentina referee, and became the first video-assistant-reviewed goal in World Cup history. Both sides were unchanged for the final. In the opening stages Croatia pushed up impressively, attacking both flanks. Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Strinic combined well on the left as Benjamin Pavard was beaten but the best they could force was a corner which was cleared.
France were 2-1 ahead against Croatia at halftime in the World Cup final after a pulsating opening 45 minutes.Antoine 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.
