2018 FIFA World Cup Final: Twitter Erupts As France Head Into Break With 2-1 Lead
Jul 15, 2018 at 9:20 PM
The World Cup final could not have been better as France and Croatia head into the break with the former leading 2-1 after a thrilling first half.
Just a couple of days ago Mario Mandzukic was the toast of the nation after his winner took Croatia in their first-ever World Cup final. However, the hero turned into a villain in a blink of an eye after he scored a own goal in the ongoing final against France. The Juventus striker’s own goal separates the two teams at the break. However, Ivan Perisic scored the equaliser just before the half-hour mark to bring Croatia right back in the game. But 5 minutes later, Griezmann scored from the penalty spot in to restore France’s lead.
It was the debutants who made a bright start to the showpiece event, testing 1998 winners France early on with some eye-catching attacking display. Croatia showed no nerves as they applied pressure to Les Bleus. However, France once again showed their strength at the back as they dealt with the Croatian attack quite well.
In the third minute, Peresic won the ball off Pavard and burst forward on the counter-attack. He drove into the penalty area but Varane came across to make a crucial tackle. Six minutes later, Rakitic released Strinic into the box and he almost made some room to fire a low ball across the face of goal. However, Mbappe got back in time to make the challenge, diverting the ball out for a corner.
But all the early pressure counted for little as France took the lead against the run of play in the 18th minute. After being fouled at the edge of the box, Antoine Griezmann whipped the resulting free-kick into the penalty area. The ball flicked off the head of Mandzukic before finding the back of the net.
Croatia, however, were not pegged back by the unfortunate goal and soon got the reward. In the 28th minute, Perisic scored a brilliant goal to equalise. France failed to clear the danger from a free-kick as Manzukic then Vida knocked the ball towards Perisic. The Inter Milan star took time and space to pick his spot on his left foot before drilling his effort past Lloris.
But 5 minutes later, Perisic’s hand ball saw France taking the lead after the referee awarded them the penalty after consulting the VAR. France then held on to go to the break with a slender lead.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the half:
Not a free-kick and not a penalty… #CRO extremely unlucky with both #FRA goals in this #WorldCupFinal
— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/MohammadKaif/status/1018521993589608448
How rare is it that you’re the goal scorer and moments later the guy who gets called for the handball and causes a penalty? Hay Perisic 🤦🏻♂️ #WorldCupFinal
— TJ Manotoc (@tjmanotoc) July 15, 2018
I always told my friends that Ivan perisic was underrated and was one of the main factors that inter made it to ucl but as most people don't watch Serie A he hasn't received the recognition he deserves however today he has shown the world that he is phenomenal.#WorldCupFinal
— Harsh chaudhary (@iharshchaudhary) July 15, 2018
Antoine Griezmann has converted the first penalty kick goal (excluding shootouts) in a #WorldCup Final since Zinedine Zidane in 2006.#FRA is the first team to score 2 goals in the first half of a World Cup Final since… France in 1998. pic.twitter.com/XzuzNO5pvk
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 15, 2018
Can't wait to see VAR trending worldwide 😁 #WorldCupFinal
— SAUTI SOL (@sautisol) July 15, 2018
Let's go back to the VAR dweebs to see if it still has to be a deliberate handball for a penalty… #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/kPkI8DU1Fn
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 15, 2018
An own goal and a VAR penalty!
Croatia fans won't be happy. #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/RhsXvRaTdd
— Transfer Site (@TransferSite) July 15, 2018
Someone give an oscar to these colonizers for such a great performance. #WorldCupFinal #FRACRO pic.twitter.com/APwoUPgYIX
— natalia✨ (@_gothamprince) July 15, 2018