FIFA 2018, France vs Croatia: Twitter Reacts As France Thrash Croatia To Win Their Second World Cup
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FIFA 2018, France vs Croatia: Twitter Reacts As France Thrash Croatia To Win Their Second World Cup

FIFA World Cup 2018
Here are the five talking points from the FIFA World Cup 2018 finale between France and Croatia.

France ended Croatia’s fairytale run in the World Cup in the most of brutal of fashions, thrashing the first-time finalists 4-2 to win their second World Cup title.

Despite being far from their best, France headed into the break with a 2-1 lead. The Les Bleus’ two goals came from set-pieces as Mario Mandzukic became the first player to score an own goal in the World Cup final. Ivan Perisic brought Croatia level with a crisp strike on his left foot. However, he was then the villain as Antoine Griezmann’s corner struck his hand and after a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot. Griezmann duly converted to put France back in front at the break.

After the break, Paul Pogba all but sealed Croatia’s fate by scoring France’s third just before the hour mark. Kylian Mbappe then put the icing on the cake by scoring the fourth in the 65th minute. Four minutes later, Mandzukic pulled one back for Croatia but it turned out to be merely a consolation goal.

Contrary to popular speculations, it was debutant Croatia who started the game on the frontfoot. Croatia showed no nerves as they applied pressure to the 1998 winners. 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 turned into villain when he handled Griezmann’s corner-kick. The referee pointed to the spot after reviewing the VAR and Griezmann made no mistake from the spot. Croatia tried to find the equaliser before the break but France held on to keep their lead intact.

Croatia started brightly after the break too. Three minutes after the restart, Ante Rebic was put through on goal by a wonderful pass from Ivan Rakitic. However, his effort was tipped over the bar by Hugo Lloris. Croatia kept on attacking but just could not find the back of the net. And they soon paid a hefty price for it.

One minute before the hour-mark, Pogba handed France a two-goal cushion.  His first effort was blocked by Vida before he curled in with his left-foot from the rebound. Six minutes later, Mbappe put the game to the bed and in the process became just the second teenager after the legendary Pele to score in a World Cup final.

A howler from Lloris then saw Mandzukic reduce the deficit but France held on to win the coveted title.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:

https://twitter.com/Carra23/status/1018532923505627136

https://twitter.com/LuckyHeronSay/status/1018536597128646657

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