From Gallic cunning to the superiority of the centerpiece: how France won its second world crown

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France won its second World Cup after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final at Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.

The Blues took the lead thanks to an unfortunate goal by Mario Mandzukic's side before Ivan Perisic leveled the score halfway. The first half

ROB DRAPER of Sportsmail examines how Didier Deschamps' team went as far as Russia.

France celebrates after defeating Croatia Stadium

French Flair? A bit like Gallic Gaul

Difficult to criticize a team that scores four goals in the World Cup final (all the best countries do) but despite some wonderful moments – this pbad from Paul Pogba who began his movement was exquisite – I always felt like it was a team playing with the handbrake.

The first half saw seven shots for Croatia, France only had one and was 2-1 (The first goal scored an own goal and did not not marked as a shot on goal).

Croatia had 61% of possession in the game, which we all know now is not the law. But with all the panoply of wealth at your disposal, you expect more from Didier Deschamps.

However, it may be the goal of the football tournament. He sometimes released Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Greizmann.

Paul Pogba (on the right ) challenges Ivan Rakitic Half of Sunday's match

But it's not for nothing that Eric Cantona nicknamed him the water carrier. In fact, his back was looking fragile and Golo Kante had a rare bad game and had to be hung like, on a yellow, as he was likely to be kicked out.

But the real work is done by Blaise Matuidi and later Steve N & # 39; Zonzi. As well as Paul Pogba. Jose Mourinho must be puzzled as these performances are exactly what Manchester United needs.

The discipline to stay in shape and yet these magical interventions. Deschamps built foundations on seven solid players; eight if you include center-forward Olivier Giroud, it sometimes seems that there is no longer there for his pressing, which in his way is a defensive job, only his defensive threat.

We can all want more. But Deschamps has what he wants. Blaise Matuidi (left) closes the Croatian side back Sime Vrsaljko in the second half ” clbad=”blkBorder img-share” />

Blaise Matuidi (left) closes the Croatian side back Sime Vrsaljko during the second half

England wins the World Cup (non-series)

Dan Ashworth , technical director of the FA indicating the importance of plays for the victories of Spain and Germany over 2010 and 2014 and how disproportionately important they are in the World Cups as opposed to the Champions League.

It was justified here, just like Allan Russell and Martyn Margetson who designed the English routines. The other point on which they insisted – which is, of course, bound – was the importance of not conceding free kicks. Discipline issues

The final was yet another indicator of this trend, with all three goals in the first half coming from play pieces: two of useless fouls; the third of a severe penalty, but that came from a corner

France takes the lead when Mario Mandzukic places Antoine Griezmann's free kick

For the first goal at 17 minutes, Griezmann plays clearly for the free kick but Marcelo Brozovic gives him the opportunity, clumsily running back the back of his legs.

For the equalization of Croatia, Kante stops the legs of Ivan Perisic. He was moving away but Kante had three teammates to face the threat.

With Modric on delivery, it was an entirely superfluous intervention Effectively, Modric found a man at the aid station and the confusion allowed Perisic to equalize.

The love train strikes again

a good World Cup for Russell's free kick, it is worth noting that teams mimic the routines of England.

The train of love, as Glenn Hoddle called it, otherwise known as the bus stop, has been around for a while, but the game of England was awesome and the teams took note of it. France did not use it at the beginning of the tournament.

But when they lined up for the turn in the 37th minute that earned them the penalty, five players lined up one behind the other and scattered.

The fact of this makes them harder to score because you can not get closer to the players, especially those in the middle. Croatia used the split version of this technique in the semifinals, another imitation of the English routine. When France did, it caused enough confusion to win the penalty. As severe as it may be, it directly concerns the following point …

As pointed out FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, the offside goal is dead. is an offside or not, but it is a fundamental rule change, since the benefit of the doubt that was previously given to the attacking player no longer applies.

This particular rule is written for when the Human eye judge an incident once in real time.Now there is no need.

Similarly, the handball of Perisic.It certainly manages the ball, but in real time, the most of The referees give him the benefit of the doubt, especially during a World Cup final. ” clbad=”blkBorder img-share” />

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