What a final! French Four Two good for Croatian courage

MOSCOW: As French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris hit the ball long into the rival half and the referee blew the final whistle, the men in blue ran into each other’s arms, crying, shouting and celebrating like school boys. The blue half of the Luzhniki exploded, the other – red and white – went quiet, then clapped in appreciation.
France, a multi-cultural team with oodles of talent and attitude, showed flair and nerve to hold off a fighting band of Croatians 4-2, and win their second World Cup — 20 years after Zinedine Zidane had led the Les Bleus to their first triumph at home.

It was a breathless end to the month-long roller-coaster ride of Russia 2018 — a World Cup of shocks, heartbreaks, historic firsts and new heroes. The finale was a six-goal affair — complete with an own goal, a controversial penalty and a freak goalie error — the highest during regulation time in a World Cup final since the 5-2 scoreline in 1958.

Croatia had more of the possession, 66%, but found the going tough in the second half when France’s quality up front floored them.
France fans let off flares as they celebrate in front of the Eiffel Tower. (Reuters)
The first French goal came off a set-piece when Antoine Griezmann – the engine of Les Bleus attack – floated in a beauty from a free-kick which took Mandzukic’s rising head to fly into the goal.
Croatia equalised through what was the goal of the match. Ivan Perisic, the Inter Milan star, showed beautiful balance and power to slam home a left-footer past Lloris.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, from left, award France's Kylian Mbappe as best young player. (AP)
Thereafter, the indomitable Croats lost the plot and conceded three in a row. The first of these was off a penalty, scored by Griezmann, awarded via VAR for a controversial hand ball offence by Perisic that will be debated for some time to come. That set the stage for goals by Pogba and Mbappe — who became the first teenage after Pele in 1958 to score in World Cup final — which took the match away from the Croats.
France's Paul Pogba celebrates scoring their third goal with Corentin Tolisso and team mates. (Reuters)
Croatia got a consolation goal deep into the second half when Lloris tried a trick past Mandzukic, but to his horror saw the ball roll into his net.
Croatia’s talismanic skipper Luka Modric received the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament, while Mbappe got the Silver Ball for the young player of the tournament.