Fabulous France on top of the world 

Published on: 16 July 2018

Didier Deschamps's men broke the deadlock against the run of play as Mario Mandzukic scored the first-ever own goal in a World Cup final in the 18th minute.

Ivan Perisic drilled in to equalise for Croatia, but France were awarded a penalty after a VAR review, which Antoine Griezmann slotted home.

It was the first VAR penalty in a World Cup final.

Paul Pogba then widened France's lead in the 59th minute when he slotted home after his first shot was blocked.

Kylian Mbappe then found a pocket of space outside the Croatia area in the 65th minute and picked out the bottom left corner with a precise, bouncing finish past Croatia goalkeeper Daanijel Subasic.

It was 60 years since someone as young as 19-year-old Mbappe scored in a World Cup Final: the then 17-year-old Pele for Brazil against Sweden in 1958. 

The youngster's efforts throughout the tournament saw him awarded the FIFA Young Player Award.

Croatia reduced their deficit by one in the 69th minute after an error by Hugo Lloris, who tried to dribble around Mandzukic as he closed down the goalkeeper, but the forward simply stuck out a leg and tackled the ball into an empty net.

France, however, held on to secure their second FIFA World Cup title, in what was the highest scoring final in regular time since Sweden 1958's finale.

Croatia's Luka Modric, who had a spectacular tournament, was awarded the Golden Ball Award while England's Harry Kane, who scored six goals, won the Golden Boot Award.

Belgium's Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove Award while Spain won the FIFA Fair Play trophy.

Sources: AFP, FIFA.com, FIFA via Getty Images

Source: the-afc.com

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