It was the final which had everything - controversial decisions, a pitch invasion, the first World Cup final own goal, its first teenage goalscorer since Pele, and a comedy goalkeeping error. France beat Croatia 4-2 to be crowned world champions for the second time and cap a truly remarkable event. Indeed the final was really the tournament in microcosm. A high-scoring affair World Cup finals have been low-scoring and tense of late - this game equalled the combined total of goals scored in the previous four. The last final to have more than two goals was in 1998 - the other time Les Bleus won the World Cup. It was also the joint highest goal tally in a final since 1958, when Brazil beat Sweden 5-2. Former England defender Rio Ferdinand said on BBC One: "Sometimes these games can peter out to being boring chess matches but this was anything but. Croatia deserve credit for the way they attacked France." Ex-England captain Alan Shearer said: "As fortunate as they were to be leading at half-time, France totally changed in the second period. They found a way to get Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe into the game and they tightened up at the back. "Congratulations to them, they have been magnificent." The tournament had 169 goals - two short of the record 171 set four years ago in Brazil and in France '98. We have to mention the VAR This is the first World Cup to use video assistant referees (VAR). After being utilised regularly in the group stages, it went quiet for most of the knockout stage. But it was used in the final to award France a penalty. When Samuel Umtiti flicked a corner towards Ivan Perisic's hand, the referee did not award anything. But, after a lengthy discussion with the video assistant referee, he went to watch it on a screen - and awarded a penalty. While many were angry with VAR, it should be noted it was referee Nestor Pitana's decision to award the penalty, after viewing the incident several times. Antoine Griezmann scored. The BBC One pundits all thought it was the wrong decision, though former England winger Chris Waddle disagreed. Shearer said at half-time it was a "ridiculous decision". "It will be such a shame if this game is decided on that decision," he said. "That is not a deliberate handball and it shouldn't be a penalty. The referee didn't give it initially, but then he is certain he has made an error after going to the VAR? I don't agree with it." Ferdinand said: "Two bad decisions have turned the game on its head. It is too close for Ivan Perisic to react. He is not going to deliberately handle the ball. "The referee took so long so he can't be certain. He can't! It becomes almost laughable. He can't be clear." Former Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann said: "When you are not sure, you don't give it. It is the wrong decision." Griezmann's goal was the 22nd penalty scored at this World Cup - a record. It was the 29th spot-kick taken - the highest since the stats were first recorded in 1966. First own goal in a final This has been the World Cup of own goals - 12 in total. So it was only right that the final had one. Mario Mandzukic's header from Griezmann's free-kick - which made it 1-0 to France - made him the first player to score an own goal in a World Cup final. That doubled the record for own goals in a tournament. It also means there were twice as many own goals as top scorer Harry Kane managed in Russia. After that goal, Waddle - on BBC Radio 5 live - described Russia 2018 as the "tournament of set-pieces". He had a point - 73 of the 169 goals scored came from set-piece situations (43%) - the highest ratio since those stats started in 1966. First teenage goalscorer since Pele Kylian Mbappe was only the third teenager to play in a World Cup final - and became the second to score in one, following Pele's double against Sweden in 1958. Earlier in the tournament, Mbappe put in perhaps the most electrifying performance of the tournament with two goals against Argentina - which made him the first teenager to score twice in any World Cup game since the Brazil legend. It might be hard to argue it was a true breakthrough tournament for a player who has cost Paris St-Germain £159m - but the 19-year-old finished with four goals and was unsurprisingly named young player of the tournament. The BBC pundits feel he might be the man to end Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's combined 10-year hold on the Ballon d'Or, the award for the world's best player. "He is the guy who will be standing up on that Ballon d'Or podium in years to come. Easy," said Ferdinand. "To come to a World Cup with all eyes on you, and to do this at 19 years old... what a great strike. It's the intelligence and the decision-making. Kylian Mbappe makes the right decisions so often. There is already maturity beyond his years." Klinsmann said: "There is so much to come down the road. He is shaking up the market. With Ronaldo moving and Neymar being linked with other clubs, where is it finishing with this kid? "What impresses me most is that he is already a part of the French team that is like a family. He looks so comfortable in this side, like he has been playing in it for 10 years." Bizarre error In a season during which Loris Karius made possibly the worst goalkeeping mistake in a Champions League final to gift Karim Benzema a goal, Hugo Lloris had a 'hold my beer' moment at the Luzhniki Stadium. Samuel Umtiti passed the ball back to his captain, the Tottenham goalkeeper. Lloris casually tried to step around Mandzukic - only managing to kick the ball off the striker and into his own net. "What on earth is Hugo Lloris doing?<doc-sep>People have noticed something about two of France's goals in the World Cup final Not to piss on their parade, but... France won the World Cup yesterday afternoon, beating Croatia 4-2 in a game that was wide open from start to finish. Advertisement It was a game decided on fine margins. The first goal, a result of Antoine Griezmann going down very easily, went in with the help of a deflection from Mario Mandžukić. France's second goal was also fortunate for them, as the referee dithered over the penalty decision for a long time before eventually giving it. But it was their third and fourth goals that really caught people's eye. Kylian Mbappé and Paul Pogba put the game to bed with strikes from outside the penalty area, leaving Croatia little chance of levelling the score again, but the goals were arguably made to look better than they were. Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subašić failed to dive properly in order to stop either shot, as he looked resigned to conceding almost every shot that came towards him. His failure to save these shots wasn't due to a lack of effort though, as the Monaco man was carrying an injury from the quarter-finals, as many viewers pointed out: Is Subasic still injured? If so, probably fair to say he, y'know, shouldn't have played and failed to dive for two goals so far — Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) July 15, 2018 Subasic looked like he never recovered from injury against Russia. Didn't move for Trippier's reachable shot against England and same story for the goals from Pogba and Mbappe today. Serious questions if they played an injured keeper. #WorldCupFinal — Jason Le Miere (@JasonLeMiere) July 15, 2018 Advertisement Towards the end of extra time in Croatia's quarter-final against Russia, Subašić suffered a muscle injury that limited his mobility, but was determined to play through the following matches for his country. Croatia made it through against England despite his lack of fitness but it France were able to expose his lack of mobility a lot more, shooting from distance knowing he wouldn't be able to dive as well as usual.<doc-sep>France were crowned World Cup champions for the second time after beating Croatia in a game that had goals, drama and controversy. There was the first-ever use of VAR in a World Cup final - with the outcome splitting opinions - as well as a terrible goalkeeping error and a teenager making history. Here's how the match unfolded with the views of players, former players and journalists on social media... France 4-2 Croatia As it happened First half - Mario woe, VAR drama Just 18 minutes into the match in Moscow, the deadlock was broken when Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic headed into his own net from a free-kick. But replays of the incident showed that Antoine Griezmann dived to win the free-kick for France... That’s what VAR should be used for me. Not even a foul and you could lose the WC to a poor decision — Joleon Lescott (@JoleonLescott) July 15, 2018 Croatia had largely been the better side and levelled when Ivan Perisic finished expertly from just inside the box... What a start. Croatia deservedly level... #WorldCup18 — Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) July 15, 2018 But then came the big talking point of the match. A France corner from the right went into the near post, was flicked on and hit Perisic on his arm. Referee Nestor Pitana did not initially give a penalty but decided to check VAR. After watching the incident several times, the referee walked away from the screen, then walked back to check again, and then pointed to the spot. The decision was largely met with frustration by current and former players. I can only repeat myself. What is going on there?! #WorldCup — Christian Fuchs (@FuchsOfficial) July 15, 2018 I mean how is that a pen? How can he get his hand out of the way? Shambles... — Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) July 15, 2018 No way....... how could Perisic move his arm and Vida was behind him to clear. Wasnt even a French player behind Perisic to score. — TIM CAHILL (@Tim_Cahill) July 15, 2018 It was all going too well! Ridiculous decision 😡 NO NO NO VAR #FRACRO #Worldcup2018Russia — Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) July 15, 2018 Definitely a penalty for me! Anywhere else on the pitch and it’s a free kick. No handball is deliberate but arm outstretched makes body bigger and therefore a pen #WorldCupFinal #FRACRO — Jonathan Walters (@JonWalters19) July 15, 2018 I tried to play and I’m not French.. still thinks it’s a pen Mate.. https://t.co/4FuKJcFfSt — John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) July 15, 2018 How #TheFootballSocial studio reacted to one of the most controversial penalty decisions in World Cup history! 😨 pic.twitter.com/3DyS1THxGd — Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) July 15, 2018 Second half - Mbappe strikes, Lloris blunders, France triumph Although there were some contrasting views...And here's how the guests on The Football Social, including Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa, reacted to the decision... Croatia continued to dominate after half-time, with Perisic impressing and France making the surprising move of taking off N'Golo Kante with less than hour gone... I’d love to see Perisic playing in the Premier League every week 🇭🇷 #WorldCup — David Meyler (@DavidMeyler7) July 15, 2018 Never seen Kante lose possession so many times in a game. Replaced by Nzonzi. — John Cross (@johncrossmirror) July 15, 2018 But then France came alive. First Paul Pogba started and finished a move to make it 3-1... 💬 "I'd love Pogba to score." *2 seconds later 💥 Pogba puts France 3-1 up! pic.twitter.com/T3pGReLzFz — Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) July 15, 2018 Then Kylian Mbappe drilled in from 25 yards out to become only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final. And he got a 'welcome to the club' by the only other player to do so... Only the second teenager to have scored a goal in a #WorldCupFinal! Welcome to the club, @KMbappe - it's great to have some company! // O segundo adolescente a marcar um gol em uma final de #CopaDoMundo! Bem-vindo ao clube, Kylian - é ótimo ter a sua companhia! https://t.co/g8b2gLTy7B — Pelé (@Pele) July 15, 2018 Hugo Lloris handed Croatia a lifeline when he tried to take the ball around Mandzukic and the striker read the move and poked the ball into the net... Oh my days what is Lloris doing 🙈 — David Meyler (@DavidMeyler7) July 15, 2018 2 - Mario Mandzukic is just the second player in World Cup history to score a goal for his side and an own goal in a single game, after Ernie Brandts for the Netherlands versus Italy in 1978. Quirk.#WorldCupFinal #WorldCup #CRO #FRA pic.twitter.com/W1geg7lstV — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2018 Arrogance!!! Started a bit before. France already had their hands on the trophy. Lloris wanted to be cool.....game on — Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) July 15, 2018 However, despite pushing in the final 20 minutes, Croatia could not get back into the match and France were crowned World Cup champions for the second time. Congratulations France! ⚽🏆🇫🇷 Enjoy this evening! #WorldCup — Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) July 15, 2018<doc-sep>The 2018 World Cup is in the books, and France is the winners after a 4-2 victory over Croatia. From Paris to Nice, the French are celebrating their 2nd World Cup trophy 20 years after their first one was delivered. Croatia didn’t play terribly, but they just ran up against a team on a mission that played well enough to achieve it. So, what did we learn from the World Cup final? France’s core isn’t going anywhere. Les Bleus was phenomenal with a core of Kylian Mbappé, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, Benjamin Pavard, N’Golo Kanté, and Samuel Umtiti. And, most of them are very young. That core is what propelled them to a 2nd World Cup title, and that core will be around 4 years from now. They’re set up for future success, and it’s going to be incredible to watch them get better over the coming years. Own Goal capped one of the most prolific goal-scoring performances in soccer history. Own Goal set a new record for scoring at the World Cup, hitting the back of the net 12 times, including the first goal of the World Cup final. it’s wonderful to see a guy who led D.C. United in scoring in 2013 come back in a big way on the world’s biggest stage. Seriously, the number of goals deflected into the back of the net for own goals contributed to the craziness that was the 2018 World Cup. We may never see another performance like it again. Croatia may have lost its best shot, but they still will compete for years to come. Croatia completely dazzled for much of the World Cup, not losing a match until yesterday’s final. With players like Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Ivan Perišić, Dejan Lovren, Mario Mandžukić, Domagoj Vida, and Milan Badelj hovering around or on the wrong side of 30, this may have been the best chance for Croatia to bring a World Cup trophy home with this generation of players. Still, several of their players have many years left of playing at a world class level, so they will expect to compete in Europe and the world moving forward. This match may not have put them in the history books as a World Cup winner, but they’re back on the map of contenders. The World Cup is now complete, and Les Bleus will hold the title of World Cup champions for the next 4.5 years. I’m not sure what we will do, but we can look back and remark at a well-played final for both sides, with the best team emerging victorious.<doc-sep>
The French national team was crowned world champions after defeating an underdog Croatian team 4-2 in the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday, capturing its second World Cup title and its first since it hosted the 1998 tournament 20 years ago. Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps was the captain in 1998 when his team shocked Brazil in Paris, and on Sunday he became the third to ever win the World Cup as a player and coach. In a match that featured anything you could have ever imagined, an own goal, a goalkeeper gaffe, pitch invaders and a teenager wunderkind finding the back of the net, France rolled to a convincing 4-1 lead and managed to hold on to earn its second star. A penalty-kick goal from Antoine Griezmann and goals from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe were enough to lift one of the pre-tournament favorites to the title, capping off a magnificent run in the group stage and the knockout stage that featured wins over Australia, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium. Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's wild final. First own goal in a World Cup final It didn't take too long for this one to get going. Despite Croatia playing better in the first half, a mistake gifted the lead to France. Mandzukic headed the ball into his own goal 18 minutes in on a set piece to make it 1-0. Mandzukic became the first player to score an own goal in the World Cup final. For those counting at home, there have been 20 World Cup finals before Sunday's match. One of the best goals of the tourney Just 10 minutes later, Croatia knotted things up off a lovely set piece that ended with Ivan Perisic's rocket golazo. It's probably one of the best goals you'll have seen this tournament, and it's significant because it happened in the most important game these players have ever played. High stakes, great goal: First VAR-assisted goal in a World Cup final Unfortunately for the underdogs, it was all downhill from there. A handball on Perisic was called a penalty kick after the use of the video assistant referee, and Griezmann finished it in the 38th minute. With this being the first tournament with video assistant referees (VAR), it was the first time we saw it used in the final. Boy, did it have an impact: Fortnite meets World Cup final Griezmann scored from the penalty spot, which meant he did his signature Fortnite dance celebration, as seen in the popular video game. The "taking the L" dance has been a celebration of Griezmann's for a few months, debuting it with Atletico Madrid during the La Liga season. More on that here. Pogba makes Manchester United history in World Cup final Aside from being the first Premier League player to score a goal in the final since Emmanuel Petit for France in 1998 against Brazil (it all comes full circle), Pogba became the first Manchester United player to score a goal in the final. The 25-year-old star midfielder made it 3-1 with this fine finish inside the box 59 minutes in: Move over, Pele Croatia, trailing every knockout stage match this Cup, had to do something to try and comeback but it couldn't find the creativity in the final third. Instead, Mbappe ended it. The young Paris Saint-Germain star made it 4-1 with this stunning hit atop the box 65 minutes in. Mbappe became the first teenager to score in a final since Pele. No big deal at all. He is the second youngest player to score in a World Cup final at 19 years and 207 days. Goalkeeper gaffe by Lloris Croatia was able to get one back from Mandzukic on an error by Hugo Lloris. Mandzukic capitalized on the gaffe and became just the second player in World Cup history to score a goal for his team and an own goal in a single game. The other? Ernie Brandts for the Netherlands against Italy in 1978. Deschamps third to win as player and manager Didier Deschamps joins Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer as the only to win the men's World Cup as a player and manager. Zagallo was a champion for Brazil as a player in 1958 and as a manager in 1970. Beckenbauer did the same as a player for West Germany in 1974 and as a manager in 1990.