France win World Cup final with 4-2 victory against Croatia
Didier Deschamps has now lifted the World Cup as both player and coach
France 4 Croatia 2
French head coach Didier Deschamps has become the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach after his side beat Croatia 4-2 in the final.
Les Bleus took the lead after 18 minutes at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow with the first ever World Cup final own goal from Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic. But the Croats, who were playing in their first World Cup final, levelled ten minutes later through Ivan Perisic.
France took the lead again before the break when Antoine Griezmann scored from the penalty spot after the video assistant-referee ruled a handball against Perisic. Then 20 minutes into the second half France were 4-1 up thanks to goals from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe.
Mandzukic got on the scoresheet at the right end after 69 minutes but despite their overwhelming possession - 66% to 34% - Croatia were unable to mount a comeback.
After the match French forward Griezmann said: “I do not know where I am! I am really happy. It was a very difficult match, Croatia had a great game. We came back and we managed to make the difference.”
2018 World Cup player awards
Croatia skipper Luka Modric won the Golden Ball for the World Cup’s best player. French striker Mbappe, 19, won the best young player after his four goals in Russia. He also became the first teenager since Pele to score in a World Cup final.
England’s Harry Kane wins the Golden Boot for the World Cup’s top goalscorer. The Three Lions skipper netted six times.
