NOTES FROM THE WORLD CUP: No refuge from politics but France's victory is a decisive moment | Pro Sports

MOSCOW – Kylian Mbappe is a political protester who invaded the field during the World Cup final. French President Emmanuel Macron jumped from his seat in a VVIP area that included a leader accused of genocide. And Vladimir Putin was steeped in a sudden downpour as the trophy was handed over to the victorious French team.

This year's World Cup would never be a haven against politics when it was staged in Putin's Russia, but the players'

A final with six goals – France beat Croatia 4 at 2 Sunday – was the apotheosis of a month that produced some of the most exciting matches in the history of the World Cup.

The lasting images will be a pure exaltation as the players of France will throw themselves into the crowd to collect flags, then crush the post-match press conference of Didier Deschamps , dancing on the table and watering the champagne and water coach. "Said Deschamps," They are young and happy. "

No need to apologize, this young team earned their right to unleash

including Mbappe, a 19-year-old striker whose trajectory Career should evolve in a stratosphere occupied for so long by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.The old guard went home early, another missed challenge for the World Cup titles by Portugal and Argentina. flies home with a winner's medal

It's not just his coolness on the ball and his goal – just look at the cool early in the second half with a limb from activist group Pussy Riot who protests against what they see as Putin's repressive regime: a double five high.Nothing deceives the guy who became the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since Pele 1958.

"J & Have always been ready, mentally, to do beautiful things, "said Mbappe. "I am free and, above all, I love it."

Not only Mbappe. Benjamin Pavard, a 22-year-old defender, will be the favorite in the next transfer window. Raphael Varane was also at the heart of the defense, which did not concede a goal in four out of seven matches in Russia. The leading role of Paul Pogba, who scored the third decisive goal Sunday, was a response to critics of his contribution to Manchester United.

"These kids, they play as if it was a pick-up game," said France defender Adil Rami, who was on the bench throughout the tournament.

In many ways, France raised the trophy in a month of disruption. And it was not just about the often confusing use of video criticism during his World Cup debut. 73 sets out of 169, including Mario Mandzukic's goal on Antoine Griezmann's free kick that gave France the advantage in the final

The defense of the German title was disintegrated in phase groups. Spain, in turmoil from the start, was sent home in the round of 16, signaling the end of the tiki-taka tactics behind the country's title in 2010. It's no longer just about keeping the ball in hand.

"The teams with the highest level of possession have all been punished by fast attackers," Deschamps said. "When you defend yourself, you are guaranteed to have two or three opportunities to counterattack."

Croatia has snuck into the final as a sign of disorganization of the establishment. Flawless determination was always evident in the final. Even at 4-1, the Croats did not give up their first shot at a big football title, but they finally lost speed after three consecutive overtime games.

"I've never experienced such a World Cup," Deschamps said. "There was a leveling at the top and the small teams on paper arrived very well prepared on a sporting level. My memory was that the great football nations would have difficulty and that they would become stronger."

Only France has reaffirmed the World's Cup status at the pinnacle of football on increasingly predictable club competitions across Europe. Even Russia, the lowest-ranked team of the tournament, managed to reach the quarter-finals.

"You have to believe that it is possible and that a lot of things have to come into place," Zlatko Dalic said. "You must follow these dreams and ambitions and maybe someday it will come true."

Maybe one day politicians will not try to take center stage at a sports event at the Luzhniki stadium and across Russia. FIFA has granted one of the coveted seats to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. Another went to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who was described as the last dictator of Europe.

But there was a return on investment from Mother Nature. By delaying the presentation of the trophy, leaving the discouraged players of Croatia to wait even longer to leave the field, the storm clouds have gathered. The rain has soaked the dignitaries

This should not be a problem when the World Cup will head to the desert nation of Qatar in four years, when France will hope to defend its title and the smaller nations will have l & # 39; hope. Croatia.

"Talent is not enough," said Deschamps before leaving to join the celebrations of victory. "What makes the difference is psychological."

MOSCOW – Four protesters who burst onto the field in Moscow were sentenced to 15 days in prison

protesters, members of the punk collective Pussy Riot, ran on the pitch Luzhniki stadium dressed as police during the second half of Sunday's match between France and Croatia. They called for the release of political prisoners and more open political competition.

A court sentenced them Monday after founding them guilty of violating the Act on Spectator Attendance at Sporting Events. They have also been banned from attending sporting events for three years.