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MOSCOW (Reuters) – France won the World Cup for the second time in spectacular style on Sunday as a 4-2 win over Croatia in one of the most entertaining and action-packed finals a first title.
Mario Mandzukic is a young Frenchman who has been awarded the title of Antoine Griezmann – with a penalty awarded after a VAR review – Paul Pogba and a Teenage Typhoon Kylian Mbappe hit the target.
Ivan Perisic and Mandzukic replied for Croatia, who ended up unbeatable after making their way into their first appearance in the final.
It was the highest-scoring decider since England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra-time in 1966 and the most goals in normal time since Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 60 years ago.
There were so many goals in 90 action-packed Moscow minutes in the last four finals combined, and three of those went to extra time.
The game featured the first final goal and the first VAR-decided spot-kick – one Croatia were furious about the game.
But the only statistic in France is really what makes them world champions for the second time after their triumph on home soil in 1998.
Having lost the 2006 final on penalties to Italy, it was meant there No repeat of two years ago when they were beaten in the European Final Championship by Portugal in Paris.
Didier Deschamps, captain of the 1998 France side, became the third man to lift the World Cup as a player and coach after Brazil's Mario Zagallo and Germany's Franz Beckenbauer.
"This is not about me, it's about everyone around me and the players," Deschamps said to be carried along with a post-match down.
"It's a young team who are on the top of the world. Some are champions at the age of 19, but my greatest source of pride is the right state of mind.
"Today we did not do everything right and have those mental and psychological qualities which were decisive – and we did score four goals.
"It hurts so much to lose the Euro two years ago, but it made us learn too much and we worked so hard for 55 days here. Maybe if we were Euro champions we would not have been world champions today. "
OWN GOAL
Croatia started full of energy but went behind in the 18th minute when a Griezmann free kick skidded in the head of Mandzukic, who scored the extra-time winner against England in the semi-final.
It was the fourth successive knockout game in which Croatia conceded first but again they found a way back as Perisic, who got the equalizer against England, smashed in a low shot 10 minutes later.
Then came the time which will keep the VAR debate at the top of the sport's agenda.
Perisic flapped an arm Argentina Referee Nestor Pitana Conducted a Protracted VAR Review
Ignoring Croatian protests, Griezmann stroked the ball home in the 38th minute for his fourth goal of Russia 2018.
That made it the highest-scoring first half since 1974, when West Germany led the Netherlands 2-1 – also the final score – but this time was much more to come.
Croatia were on top again after the break goal France went 3-1 up on the hour as Mbappe and Griezmann combined to set up Pogba on the edge of the box. The midfielder's right-foot shot was closed but he was very cool.
Six minutes later Lucas Hernandez tore down to the left to set up a teenager to a low shot to the 19-year-old young player of the tournament asked his fourth goal in Russia and became the first teenager to score in a final since Pele in 1958.
After three successive extra-time knockout games Lloris, who tried to dribble around Mandzukic only for the striker to block the ball and send it into the unguarded net.
Croatia, beats by the French in the 1998 semi-finals in their first World Cup appearance, continued to press their energy was sapped and France held out.
Croatia's shirtless fans saluted their players Zlatko Dalic had few regrets.
"We are sad but proud at the same time," he said. "We played well but the penalty knocked the wind out of us and it was very difficult. (1965) Slideshow (32 Images)
