France seal thrilling World Cup triumph

France's players hold the World Cup trophy as they celebrate their win during the trophy ceremony at the end of their Russia 2018 World Cup final match against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | FRANCK FIFE |

What you need to know:

  • 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.

France's array of superstars came out to shine as Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe fired them to World Cup glory with an emphatic 4-2 win over Croatia

Following a tournament packed with thrills and drama, the final at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium lived up to what preceded it from 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.

France's players hold the World Cup trophy as they celebrate their win during the trophy ceremony at the end of their Russia 2018 World Cup final match against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | GETTY IMAGES |

France's forward Kylian Mbappe scores a goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | GABRIEL BOUYS |

Zlatko 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 impact upon a World Cup final.

France's team players celebrate Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic's own goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | ADRIAN DENNIS |

France's forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic's own goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup final football match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | FRANCK FIFE |

Croatia's goalkeeper Danijel Subasic reacts after France's forward Antoine Griezmann scored a penalty kick during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | ADRIAN DENNIS |

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.

French President Emmanuel Macron celebrates his team's goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup final match against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | CHRISTOPHE SIMON |

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.

Croatia's forward Ivan Perisic (right) is marked by France's defender Raphael Varane during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD |

Croatia's forward Ivan Perisic (centre) shoots and scores a goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match against France at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | ADRIAN DENNIS |

Croatia quickly established an easy control of possession and probed down either flank during the opening exchanges, only to fall behind after France's first attacking spell of note.

Griezmann tumbled when Marcelo Brozovic clipped his heels and the Atletico Madrid star's floated free-kick was glanced unwittingly into his own net by Mandzukic.

Part of the Russia 2018 final between France and Croatia at the Luzinkhi Stadium, Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | GETTY IMAGES |

It meant the question was whether France's capacity to lock down an advantage or Croatia's reputation as the comeback kings of the knockout stages would hold sway.

France's midfielder Paul Pogba celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD |

In the 28th minute, Perisic emphatically provided the answer. The winger was cynically tripped by N'Golo Kante, who was booked for his indiscretion. France failed to adequately deal with Luka Modric's deep free-kick and Perisic seized on a knockdown from Domagoj Vida with a clever right-footed touch and rasping left-footed finish.

Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric (left) vies for the ball with France's midfielder N'Golo Kante during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD |

But Croatia's goalscorer had his joy curtailed shortly afterwards when a lengthy VAR review saw him penalised for handball from Griezmann's right-wing corner. Replays left no doubt the ball struck Perisic's left hand, but, given he was pulling his arm down and was left largely unsighted by Raphael Varane, he had every right to feel aggrieved.

Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana gestures during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match between France and Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | FRANCK FIFE |

Griezmann kept his cool impressively to nonchalantly stroke the spot-kick home and France survived a sustained spell of set-piece pressure to keep their lead intact at the break.

Croatia began the second half as they did the first and Lloris clawed Ante Rebic's strike over on the end of Ivan Rakitic's superb pass. Waves of attacks followed from Dalic's men before France were granted respite via Mbappe's lightning pace.

Croatia's defender Ivan Strinic (left) vies with France's forward Kylian Mbappe during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV |

The Paris Saint-Germain star escaped Vida's clutches and forced Danijel Subasic to save with his feet.

Another of France's tournament stand-outs, Kante, then made way for Steven N'Zonzi, but it was their most celebrated midfield operator who rose majestically to the occasion before the hour.

Croatia's forward Ivan Perisic celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match against France at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | ALEXANDER NEMENOV |

Mbappe raided down the right and Griezmann fed Pogba on the edge of the box after failing to fully bring the ball under his spell. The Manchester United star's thunderous right-footed attempt was blocked, but he steered the rebound home immaculately with his left.

Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic (right) vies with France's defender Samuel Umtiti during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | FRANCK FIFE |

France scented blood against opponents weary from three consecutive periods of extra-time and Mbappe joined Griezmann on four for the tournament, unleashing a low 65th-minute drive from 25 yards as Vida stood off to become the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since Pele.

A supporter of the Croatian team reacts during their Russia 2018 World Cup final match against France at the fan zone in Berlin, on July 15, 2018. PHOTO | TOBIAS SCHWARZ |

Lloris encouraged Croatia to dip into their seemingly bottomless reserves by allowing Mandzukic to tackle him and bundle home in the 69th minute. Rakitic went close as his brave team-mates ensured they would not be disgraced in the face of France's second world title.

Key Opta stats:

France became the first team to score four goals in a World Cup final since Brazil beat Italy 4-1 in 1970.

Croatia are the first team to lose in their first ever appearance in a World Cup final since the Netherlands in 1974 (1-2 vs Germany).

Mario Mandzukic became the first ever player to score an own goal in a World Cup final.

Kylian Mbappe (19y 207d) is the second youngest player to score in a World Cup final, after Pele for Brazil in 1958 (17y 249d).

Paul Pogba's goal for France was the first scored from outside the box in a World Cup final since Marco Tardelli for Italy vs Germany in 1982.