France crowned World Cup champions after 4-2 win over Croatia

France is football world champion for the second time. Les Bleus won the final in Moscow against Croatia 4-2 (2-1) - 20 years after their triumph at the 1998 World Cup.

The Croats put pressure on their opponents from the start, but were caught cold as France broke free for the first time: referee Néstor Pitana (Argentina) fell for Antoine Griezmann spectacular dive and gave the free-kick for France. Griezmann himself played, and Mario Mandzukic deflected the ball unsustainably into its own net (19.).


Croatia remained on the trigger, France hardly had time to breathe. In the 28th minute Ivan Perišić finally restored justice, when he reacted fast after a free-kick and equalized.

But in the 34th minute followed by the next setback for the Croats. After a handball by Perišić the video assistant was switched on - four minutes later Pitana decided to give a penalty that Griezmann transformed (38.).

After the break, the energy of the Croats fizzled, and France was now better prepared for its opponent. Kylian Mbappe faced Danijel Subašić after a solo attempt on 52 minutes, but Croatia's keeper cleared the ball.

Paul Pogba swirled in the 59th minute the net from 17 yards nicely into the left corner. And France remained efficient: In the 65th minute, Lucas Hernández prevailed over Mario Mandžukić and Šime Vrsaljko, drew in the middle and served Mbappé, who scored from 20 meters.

The Croats were now effective, but got new spirits after French keeper Hugo Lloris had a blackout and after a back pass from Samuel Umtiti the goalkeeper played the ball right in front of the feet of Croatian striker Mandzukic - only 4: 2 (69).

Croatia's national coach Zlatko Dalić now wanted to revive the offensive again and brought the Hoffenheim Andrej Kramarić for the Frankfurt Ante Rebić. However, the clever Frenchmen could no longer be beaten.

It is certain that France had a lot of luck in the final. Croatia had no chance against the game progress. From an non-existent free kick resulted the own goal. The hand penalty was not really that clear. The men of Zlatko Dalic did not fare well against fate.