France have won the FIFA World Cup for a second time with Paris Saint-Germain prodigy Kylian Mbappé playing a starring role in their 4-2 defeat of Croatia in Moscow on Sunday.
Sunday, 15 July, 2018
2018 FIFA World Cup Final
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
France 4-2 Croatia 
THE MATCH
Didier Deschamps kept faith with the same XI that had started the semi-final win over Belgium, and adopted the same strategy of attempting to exploit his side’s ability to turn defence into attack in devastating fashion.
That inevitably left Croatia the lion’s share of possession, and they probed. A better first touch would have seen Ivan Perisic get a shooting opportunity (9′), but the ball, which had come from over the Inter Milan man’s shoulder, just skipped away from him.
Croatia could not retain possession forever though, and when Mbappé got a first chance to run at the opposing back four (16′) it caused enough panic to lead to the free-kick that Antoine Griezmann angled in and flicked off Mario Mandzukic’s head before flashing past Danijel Subasic to give Les Bleus the lead (18′)
The opening goal did not change the physionomy of the match: France defended, Croatia kept playing the ball around and eventually their chance came.
The build-up was pragmatic: Luka Modric floated in a free-kick and his teammates battled for the ball in a crowded penalty area. But when Domogoj Vida teed up Perisic, he deftly stepped away from Ngolo Kanté before arrowing a half-volley beyond Hugo Lloris.
The France captain was not helped by a slight deflection off Raphaël Varane that took the ball still further from his grasp (28′), but the shot was so well struck and well placed, it may well have found its way beyond him even if it had not brushed the Real Madrid defender.
VAR penalty
Perisic, unfortunately for him, had a major hand in France retaking the lead ten minutes later.
Blaise Matuidi narrowly failed to connect with a corner whipped in to the near post by Griezmann, but the Juventus midfielder’s misjudgement meant the ball struck Perisic, who was just behind him, on the arm. After several minutes of referring to VAR and watching the incident himself, referee Nestor Pitana pointed to the spot; Griezmann sent Subasic the wrong way without a second thought (38′).
A menacing Perisic ball in from the left would have brought better reward had Ante Rebic not miskicked (39′) while former Olympique Lyonnais defender Dejan Lovren saw a promising volley charged down (42′) and Vida came close to connecting with an Ivan Rakitic corner at close range (44′) as Croatia sought to level the scores before the break.
A Griezmann shot from distance (47′) suggested France may defend their lead by attacking in the second half, but barely a minute later, Ante Rebic burst onto an Ivan Rakitic through ball and forced Lloris to tip his rising shot over the crossbar (48′). But for a Varane stretch and quick thinking by Lloris, Mandzukic would have latched onto a through ball (49′) – Croatia were clearly determined to get back on level terms.
Pogba strike
Mbappé’s electric pace remains a constant threat though and he reminded Croatia of it when he blasted down the right and away from Vida, forcing a solid block with his feet by his former AS Monaco teammate Subasic (52′).
It was another pacy Mbappé run down the right that brought France’s third. Released in behind the Croatia back four, the Paris Saint-Germain forward waited for teammates to arrive before finding Griezmann. Back to goal, the Atletico Madrid man teed up Paul Pogba who saw his initial shot blocked but the Manchester United man instantly steered a measured effort past Subasic to give Les Bleus breathing space (59′).
They had still more — and suffocated the life out of Croatia’s chances — when Mbappé delivered the coup de grâce. Lucas Hernandez ventured forward, evading a brace of challenges before playing the ball inside for Mbappé — the 19-year-old’s low shot was, this time, too good for Subasic (65′).
The remaining minutes to the final whistle that sparked wild celebrations were not without a hiccup or two, notably Mandzukic quickly closing down Lloris as the France captain fielded a Samuel Umtiti backpass and seemed to read the Tottenham Hotpur goalkeeper’s mind. As Lloris cut left, Mandzukic stuck out a leg to send the ball into the net and leave Lloris red-faced (69′).
Rakitic sent a diagonal shot uncomfortably close to the far post (78′), but Croatia could not avoid suffering the same fate as their predecessors at the semi-final stage of the 1998 World Cup in France. That tournament, Didier Deschamps led his nation to victory on the pitch. In Russia, he became only the second man after German icon Franz Beckenbauer to also win football’s ultimate prize from the dugout.
THE PLAYER: Kylian Mbappé
The teenager confirmed on the biggest stage of all what Ligue 1 Conforama fans and opponents have known for the last two years: he is already one of the best players in the world. Yes, he’s pacy, but he has the intelligence, talent on the ball and work ethic to go with it. He is the complete package, and delivered spectacularly in the Luzhniki Stadium.
THE STAT: 2
At 19 years and six months, Mbappé is the second-youngest player to score in a World Cup final after Brazilian legend Pele, who was 17 years and eight months old when he found the net against Sweden in 1958.
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