France beat Croatia to become World Cup champion

July 16, 2018 - 01:00

France overpower Croatia 4-2 to win World Cup

Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates scoring during the 2018 FIFA World Cup final match between France and Croatia in Moscow, Russia, July 15, 2018. - Photo Xinhua
Viet Nam News

MOSCOW — France overwhelmed Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium on Sunday to lift the trophy for the second time in 20 years.

The French, playing their third World Cup final, were made to sweat initially and were lucky to go ahead when Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic headed an Antoine Griezmann free kick into his own net in the 18th minute, the first own goal in a World Cup final.

Ivan Perisic leveled with a powerful shot 10 minutes later but the Croatia midfielder was then penalised for handball following a VAR review and Griezmann stepped up coolly to convert the 38th-minute penalty and put France 2-1 up.

Croatia fought hard for an hour but gradually ran out of steam after playing extra time in their three previous matches, and goals from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe gave France a three-goal cushion.

Mandzukic pounced on a mistake by France keeper Hugo Lloris to cut the deficit in the 69th minute, making it the highest-scoring final over 90 minutes in 60 years, but Croatia could not find the net again in their first World Cup final. — REUTERS

 

 

 

Kylian Mbappe (2nd R) of France celebrates scoring during the 2018 FIFA World Cup final match between France and Croatia in Moscow, Russia, July 15, 2018. - Photo Xinhua
Kylian Mbappe (R) of France celebrates scoring during the 2018 FIFA World Cup final match between France and Croatia in Moscow, Russia, July 15, 2018.- Photo Xinhua

 

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