After 31 days of scintillating football action in Russia, the FIFA World Cup came to a befitting close, Sunday, with France crowned world champions.
Les Blues beat Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling final with goals from Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe after Mario Mandzukic’s own goal in the 18th minute.
Even nature joined the French side in the celebration as the rain came down in torrents shortly before the trophy was handed to the world champions. The wild celebration continued inside the rain as fire crackers boomed and lit the skyline in Moscow.
Both teams proved bookmakers right as no one could stick his neck as to where the pendulum would swing.
What a final! It was packed with thrills and drama, as Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium came alive the moment Les Bleus hit the front through an 18th minute own goal by Mario Mandzukic – a cruel role reversal for Croatia’s extra-time hero in the semi-final win over England.
Ante Dalic’s side had started the stronger and levelled through a fine Ivan Perisic strike before the Inter player was harshly adjudged to have handled in the box, as VAR made its first real impact upon the just concluded World Cup finals.
Griezmann converted his fourth of the tournament from 12 yards before Croatia pursued their opponents furiously once more at the start of the second half.
A pitch invasion from punk protest group, Pussy Riot in the 52nd minute, seemed a fitting precursor to the anarchy that followed, with Pogba and Mbappe arrowing in majestic strikes from outside the box.
An absent-minded error from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris allowed Mandzukic to put his name on the other side of the scoreboard, but Didier Deschamps was not to be denied his piece of history as the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach. Deschamps was captain of the Les Bleus’ side that previously lifted the trophy back in 1998.