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CM 2018
Published on | Updated on
Twenty years after its first coronation in 1998, the French team won its second star of the world championship on Sunday, dominating Croatia during of a crazy final (4-2) at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow
France is world champion. (R.Martin The Team)
The match: 4-2
No need to pinch yourself to believe it. The team of France has written this Sunday a new page in its history. Dominating Croatia (4-2) after a final that turned to his advantage early in the second period, the Blues have succeeded where all other favorites had failed in Russia. This is the master's soprano, even if it has sometimes failed against an opponent who has posed more problems than it would have thought.
It is also that of Didier Deschamps, his lucky coach, the third only to raise the Cup as a player and coach after the Argentine Zagallo and the German Beckenbauer. There were experienced precursors in 1998. Twenty years later, it was kids who did the unthinkable. Bring a second Cup to France. The future belongs to them.
Whereas it seemed as if the French were determined to go to the front of the box, to make them doubt the Croats who were supposed to be more tired by their energetic debauchery of the previous rounds – three extensions in the 8th, quarter and a half – the opposite is true. The French team did not touch the ball for the first quarter of an hour. Curled up, she was content to wait for her opponent, probably in the idea of being able to counter it better. But also because Rakitic and his partners handled these first minutes very well. They were surprised only on one stroke of fate. On a free-kick from Griezmann, Mandzukic opened the scoring against his side of the head (18th).
It took only ten minutes for Croatia to react. Perisic tied in force (28th), following a free kick poorly negotiated by the Blues. Everything was to be redone for them and again, they received a little help from fate. Following a hand from Perisic in his area, a penalty was awarded to players Didier Deschamps after a long wait and the intervention of the VAR. Griezmann did not shiver to score his fourth goal in the competition (38th). While the storm fell on Moscow, the Blues rocked in front at half-time, hopes full of head.
But after this first difficult act in the game, they still suffered at the start of the second. The checkers have increased their dominance and have created three big opportunities (48th, 49th and 54th). The KO. was close. He did not come by Mbappé who hit Subasic (52), but by Pogba, whose shot at the entrance to the surface (59th) was hit. He was imitated in the wake of the young Parisian who saw, this time and also his risk-taking rewarded (66th). At 4-1, he could not get anything to the Blues. The title stretched out their arms.
But the irrational was again invited in the debates, as against Argentina (4-3). Hitherto irreproachable, Hugo Lloris had a hole in front of Mandzukic and allowed Croatia to believe it again (69th). Just a little. Because despite the early exit of Kanté (55th), by tactical choice, the Blues were then able to block to hold and lift the trophy so hoped. They world champions. Them too. For eternity.
The fact: the VAR still helps the Blues
Why did not Mr. Pinata appeal to the video after Pogba's fault on Mandzukic in the unmarked tricolor area (24th)? Perhaps because the Croats did not claim anything unlike the Blues who rushed on the referee after a hand of Perisic, in its surface too (35th). It took at least three good minutes for the referee body to finally make a decision to the advantage of the France team. As against Australia in opening (2-1), Antoine Griezmann did not tremble on penalty (38th), and offered a rather happy advantage at this moment of the match and in view of the fault difficult to judge on the moment .
Player: Griezmann size boss
He will have kept his word and will be in power until the end. After a disappointing start to the tournament, Antoine Griezmann finished the World Cup baduming his role as boss, technical leader and scorer. Involved in the first three goals of the Blues, shooting the 1-0 free kick, having strong nerves for 2-1 and serving Pogba, who was stopped before scoring 3-1, he was the best French player in this final, as in that of the Europa League (doubled in the 3-0 win against OM). He could not do better to afford every chance to win the Golden Ball.
8
Croatia could have been the ninth country to win the World Cup, but it will have to wait. Only eight nations retain this privilege. With this second title, the France team joined Argentina (1978 and 1986) and Uruguay (1930 and 1950) among the double world champions.
Hugues Sionis, in Moscow
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