World Cup 2018: France 4-2 Croatia highlights
France won the Fifa World Cup for the second time by overcoming Croatia's bold challenge in a thrilling final in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
Didier Deschamps' side repeated the success on home soil at France '98 by a margin that hardly looked possible as Croatia stood toe-to-toe with the favourites for an hour.
France's victory meant Deschamps, who captained them 20 years ago, became just the third man to win the competition as a player and coach.
Croatia also felt their luck deserted them, but ultimately France ran out victorious to erase the memories of the loss to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final in Paris.
In one of the most exciting World Cup finals of the modern era, played out to a soundtrack of thunder, Croatia and France delivered an enthralling spectacle that brought the highest goal tally in a final since 1966, a pitch invasion, and a controversial intervention from the video assistant referee that had a huge influence on the outcome.
France took the lead after 18 minutes when Antoine Griezmann's free-kick deflected in off Mario Mandzukic's head - but Croatia were by far the better side in the first half and deservedly equalised courtesy of Ivan Perisic's left-foot finish.
Croatia were left nursing a burning sense of injustice when France restored their lead seven minutes before half-time through Griezmann's penalty, awarded by referee Nestor Pitana for handball against Perisic after a lengthy delay while VAR was consulted.
In a compelling second half, France looked to have wrapped it up with two strikes in six minutes from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe either side of the hour mark.
Croatia, however, showed unbreakable spirit and even threatened a comeback when Mandzukic took advantage of France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris hesitating over a clearance to pull a goal back.
But France closed out the win to bring redemption for Deschamps after defeat at the Euros two years ago, sparking wild celebrations and ensuring Lloris lifted the World Cup.
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Relive a brilliant World Cup final
Player Rater: France v Croatia
Quality and luck - a deadly combination
France are the team for all seasons - possessing an all-round quality that has carried them to this World Cup triumph.
When that is added to an element of good fortune, it can prove a deadly combination.
Croatia will complain bitterly that Griezmann went down theatrically for the free-kick that led to Mandzukic's own goal, and they will also feel Perisic's handball was not clear-cut enough for VAR to make that decisive intervention just before half-time.
What is not in doubt, however, is the sheer quality this France side possesses, a potent attack the spearhead for a strong midfield and outstanding defence.
When Croatia threatened to come back once more early in the second half, Pogba and Mbappe's strikes from the edge of the area past the static Danijel Subasic - who still looked less than fully fit after injuring a hamstring in the quarter-final against Russia - proved the defining passage of this final.
France celebrated joyously at the final whistle after claiming the sport's greatest trophy once more, with Deschamps - the coach whose conservative methods have often brought criticism - tossed high into the air by his players.
Croatia's pride and passion
Croatia return home as beaten World Cup finalists but their approach to this match will have won the hearts of neutrals and earned them a prolonged standing ovation from their fans at the final whistle.
Zlatko Dalic's side were the better team for the first hour despite trailing, and were pushing France back when they were hit by those two swift hammer blows from Pogba and Mbappe.
Croatia had done it the hard way to reach this final, winning on penalties in the last 16 and quarter-final against Denmark and hosts Russia respectively before requiring extra time to beat England in the semi-final.
Yet they showed no signs of tiredness as they tore into France from the first whistle, and even when the game looked out of reach they never once let their heads drop, threatening an unlikely comeback when Mandzukic cashed in on Lloris' error.
It was not to be but world-class midfielder Luka Modric has illuminated this World Cup, while the energy, commitment and threat of Perisic stood out here.
Croatia's footballers and their coach will return home as national heroes - a status they fully deserve after their contribution to this spectacular World Cup and their all-out approach to this final.
The great VAR debate
This was the first World Cup to utilise VAR - so it was perhaps inevitable it would play a major part in the final.
The moment came just before half-time when France's players appealed instantly for a penalty when a corner struck Perisic's hand at the near post.
Referee Pitana took what seemed an age to consult VAR - even having one last look to make sure after moving to turn away - before, to Croatia's horror and France's delight, pointing to the spot.
Croatia will argue it was not a "clear and obvious" mistake and the handball was not a deliberate act on Perisic's part, and their pain increased as Griezmann slipped home the penalty that was to play a crucial role in the outcome.
Man of the match - Antoine Griezmann (France)
Griezmann has scored 10 goals for France in major tournamentsHow the goals were scored
World Cup 2018: Own goal from Croatia's Mario Mandzukic give France early lead
World Cup 2018: Ivan Perisic fires Croatia level against France in the final
World Cup 2018: Antoine Griezmann tucks away controversial VAR penalty
World Cup 2018: Paul Pogba's curling shot puts France 3-1 up against Croatia
World Cup 2018: Kylian Mbappe goal stretches lead
World Cup 2018: Howler from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris gives Croatia lifelineFirst PL player to score in final since '98 - the stats
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Deschamps is the third person to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager, after Brazil's Mario Zagallo and Germany's Franz Beckenbauer.
France became the first team to score four goals in a World Cup final since Brazil beat Italy 4-1 in 1970.
Croatia are the first team to lose in their first appearance in a World Cup final since the Netherlands in 1974 (2-1 v Germany).
Mandzukic is the first player to score an own goal in a World Cup final.
Mbappe (19 years 207 days) is the second youngest player to score in a World Cup final, after Pele for Brazil in 1958 (17 years 249 days).
Griezmann has scored 10 goals for France in major tournaments - only three players have scored more for Les Bleus (Michel Platini - 14, Just Fontaine - 13, Thierry Henry - 12).
Perisic has been directly involved in 11 goals at major tournaments (7 goals, 4 assists), more than any other Croatia player.
Perisic became only the second player to both score a goal, and concede a penalty in a World Cup final, after Marco Materazzi for Italy in 2006.
Pogba became the first Manchester United player to score in a World Cup final, and the first Premier League player to do so since Emmanuel Petit in 1998.
Pogba's goal for France was the first scored from outside the box in a World Cup final since Marco Tardelli for Italy v Germany in 1982.
Mandzukic is only the second player in World Cup history to score a goal and an own goal in the same match, after the Netherlands' Ernie Brandts against Italy in 1978.
Mandzukic became the fifth player to score in both World Cup and European Cup/Champions League finals after Ferenc Puskas, Zoltan Czibor, Gerd Muller and Zinedine Zidane.
More to follow.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
France
1Lloris
2Pavard
4Varane
5Umtiti
21HernándezBooked at 41mins
10Mbappé
6Pogba
13KantéBooked at 27minsSubstituted forN'Zonziat 55'minutes
14MatuidiSubstituted forTolissoat 73'minutes
7Griezmann
9GiroudSubstituted forFekirat 81'minutes
Substitutes
3Kimpembe
8Lemar
11Dembélé
12Tolisso
15N'Zonzi
16Mandanda
17Rami
18Fekir
19Sidibe
20Thauvin
22Mendy
23Areola
Croatia
23Subasic
2VrsaljkoBooked at 90mins
6Lovren
21Vida
3StrinicSubstituted forPjacaat 81'minutes
11Brozovic
18RebicSubstituted forKramaricat 71'minutes
10Modric
7Rakitic
4Perisic
17Mandzukic
Substitutes
1Livakovic
5Corluka
8Kovacic
9Kramaric
12L Kalinic
13Jedvaj
14Bradaric
15Caleta-Car
19Badelj
20Pjaca
22Pivaric
Referee:
Néstor Pitana
Attendance:
78,011
Match Stats
Home TeamFranceAway TeamCroatia
Possession
Home34%
Away66%
Shots
Home7
Away14
Shots on Target
Home6
Away4
Corners
Home2
Away6
Fouls
Home13
Away13
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, France 4, Croatia 2.
Full TimePosted at 90'+6'
Second Half ends, France 4, Croatia 2.
Posted at 90'+4'
Marcelo Brozovic (Croatia) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 90'+4'
Foul by Nabil Fekir (France).
BookingPosted at 90'+2'
Sime Vrsaljko (Croatia) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 90'+2'
Foul by Sime Vrsaljko (Croatia).
Posted at 90'+2'
Antoine Griezmann (France) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 90'+1'
Foul by Sime Vrsaljko (Croatia).
Posted at 90'+1'
Corentin Tolisso (France) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 90'
Foul by Marcelo Brozovic (Croatia).
Posted at 90'
Paul Pogba (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 89'
Attempt missed. Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Andrej Kramaric.
Posted at 87'
Attempt saved. Nabil Fekir (France) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann.
Posted at 86'
Foul by Ivan Rakitic (Croatia).
Posted at 86'
Nabil Fekir (France) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 83'
Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 83'
Foul by Paul Pogba (France).
SubstitutionPosted at 81'
Substitution, Croatia. Marko Pjaca replaces Ivan Strinic.
SubstitutionPosted at 81'
Substitution, France. Nabil Fekir replaces Olivier Giroud.
Posted at 78'
Attempt missed. Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Andrej Kramaric.
Posted at 76'
Attempt missed. Sime Vrsaljko (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Marcelo Brozovic.
Posted at 75'
Marcelo Brozovic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 75'
Foul by Paul Pogba (France).
Posted at 73'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
SubstitutionPosted at 73'
Substitution, France. Corentin Tolisso replaces Blaise Matuidi.
Posted at 73'
Delay in match Mario Mandzukic (Croatia) because of an injury.
Posted at 73'
Delay in match Samuel Umtiti (France) because of an injury.
SubstitutionPosted at 71'
Substitution, Croatia. Andrej Kramaric replaces Ante Rebic.
Goal!Posted at 69'
Goal! France 4, Croatia 2. Mario Mandzukic (Croatia) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
Posted at 68'
Foul by Luka Modric (Croatia).
Posted at 68'
Steven N'Zonzi (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal!Posted at 65'
Goal! France 4, Croatia 1. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lucas Hernández.
Posted at 64'
Attempt blocked. Ante Rebic (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ivan Strinic.
Posted at 61'
Corner, France. Conceded by Marcelo Brozovic.
Goal!Posted at 59'
Goal! France 3, Croatia 1. Paul Pogba (France) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
Posted at 59'
Attempt blocked. Paul Pogba (France) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann.
Posted at 58'
Dejan Lovren (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 58'
Foul by Olivier Giroud (France).
Posted at 57'
Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 57'
Foul by Olivier Giroud (France).
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Source: bbc.com