The team from France took home the 2018 FIFA World Cup title on Sunday for the first time since 1998, defeating Croatia by a 4-2 score at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia before 78,000 fans.
France got things started with a little luck. A direct kick deflected off the head of a Croatia defender Mario Mandzukic and into the net in the 18th minute to make it 1-0. There was no official goal credited on the play for France as the ball would not of gone in if it hadn’t of hit the defenders head. Croatia wasn’t backing down, as they evened up the match when Ivan Perisic made a move just inside the box to the left, then shot back right into the right corner of the net to make it 1-1 at the 28th minute. From there, it was mostly all French.
France took back the lead they wouldn’t relinquish when Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty kick after a Croatia defender hit the ball with their hand in the box at the 38th minute. Two great strikes from just outside the box at the 59th minute Paul Pogba, and then 19 year old Kylian Mbappe at the 65th minute made it 4-1. Mbappe wasn’t even born yet the last time the French hoisted the cup. Croatia got a goal four minutes later by Mandzukic, who made up for his blunder earlier in the match by stealing the ball from French goalie Hugo Lloris and sliding it under his legs, but it wasn’t enough in the end for Croatia. Danijel Subasic made 10 saves for Croatia who loses for first time in the Cup run, and finishes with a record of 4-1-4. Lloris made five saves for the winners from France, as the French finish with a record of 4-4-2.
The 2018 World Cup was the 21st ever, and consisted of 32 countries from five federations. The road to the cup was played in 12 different venues, culminating with the quarter, semi, and championship rounds in Moscow. The tournament began back on June 14th. Croatia made history by finishing as the runner-up, as this was their first ever appearance in a World Cup final match.
