Moscow decider

Fantastic Croatia takes silver as France claims world title

15.07.2018.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

Croatia national football team won a 2018 FIFA World Cup silver medal. Despite another quality, fighting performance, France managed to win in the final and celebrates the world title.

FRANCE - CROATIA 4:2 (2:1)
2018 FIFA World Cup Final.
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow.

Referee: N. Pitana (Argentina)

Goals: 1:0 - Mandžukić (18' - ag), 1:1 - Perišić (28'), 2:1 - Griezmann (38' - 11m), 3:1 - Pogba (59'), 4:1 - Mbappe (65'), 4:2 - Mandžukić (69')

Cautions: Kante (27'), Hernandez (41'), Vrsaljko (90+2')

France: Lloris, Hernandez, Umtiti, Varane, Pavard, Kante (55' N'Zonzi), Pogba, Matuidi (73' Tolisso), Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud (81' Fekir). Head coach: D. Deschamps.

Croatia: Subašić, Strinić (82' Pjaca), Vida, Lovren, Vrsaljko, Brozović, Rakitić, Perišić, Modrić, Rebić (71' Kramarić), Mandžukić. Head coach: Z. Dalić.

More memorable World Cup moments for Croatia were unfortunately not enough for the biggest of prizes, the world champions title. France won at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow 4:2, but Zlatko Dalić's men made an excellent impression, achieving a historic success for Croatian football.

As in three previous second round matches, Croatia fell behind early. On 18 minutes, Griezmann crossed from a set-piece, and Mandžukić deflected the ball to put it in the back of the wrong net.

However, Croatia was back level on fourth occasion as well. On 28 minutes, a chance was created for Perišić, who struck home from the edge of the box to make it 1:1.

Despite dominating the play, Croatia had to go on a break a goal down. Following a VAR-review, a handball was given and Griezmann made no mistake from the penalty spot (2:1).

Croatia opened the second half on top once again, with Rebić testing Lloris, but Pogba and Mbappe managed to beat Subašić from distance between 59th and 65th minutes (4:1).

Minutes later, Mandžukić capitalized on Lloris' mistake to pull one back (4:2), but it was not to be Croatia's night.

France lifted the World Cup trophy for the second time in history, and deserves congratulations. Croatia took silver, yet it will be a golden celebration back in Zagreb on Monday. Compared to a legendary France '98 generation, this one did one better, bringing home the Golden Ball trophy, courtesy of the best player of the tournament, Luka Modrić.

The summer of '18 in Russia will remain an everlasting, most beautiful memory.

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