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

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.

The first time since 1958 we've had six goals in regular time of a #WorldCupFinal!

Pretty nerve-wracking for #FRA and #CRO fans, but for neutrals… how you feeling? #FRACRO 4-2 pic.twitter.com/lVZ0FXeBUZ

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018

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.

Annnnnnd breathe.

That was pretty eventful! #FRACRO // #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/tH7SPTBaQh

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018

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.

A moment to remember for @paulpogba and the @FrenchTeam!#FRACRO // #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/PRe4x4pPJw

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018

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.

Teenagers to score in a #WorldCupFinal

* Pele
* Kylian Mbappe

That is all. pic.twitter.com/Cy3RvGOoV7

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018

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

5 – Mario Mandzukic has become just the 5th player to score in both World Cup and European Cup/Champions League finals, after Ferenc Puskas, Zoltan Czibor, Gerd Muller & Zinedine Zidane. Platform.#WorldCupFinal #WorldCup #FRA #CRO pic.twitter.com/jc7TNR7YRG

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2018

Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:

Always feels like Loris errors are in BIG games??

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 15, 2018

Great French ?? generation, incredible team they have ?? but up most respect for Croatia ?? who was the underdog the whole tournament ??????

— Ryan Babel (@Ryanbabel) July 15, 2018

Congratulations to the determined players from France for winning the FIFA World Cup! Special wishes to the gallant Croatia team #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 15, 2018

-Own goal
-Handball Penalty
-Pogba screamer (chill…)
-19 year old (teenager) Mbappe goal
-Lloris 5* skill failure……

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED IN THE #WORLDCUPFINAL!!!!!!

You going to love this video…… #FRACRO

— Castro1021 (@Castro1021) July 15, 2018

France just making sure that the world doesn't feel they won it by a dubious VAR penalty. Lloris even gave them a goal. #WorldCupFinal

— Ali Anjum (@AliAnjum_) July 15, 2018

Anyways , Croatia deserves a lot of credit for making the final against all the odds, Played beautiful football and showed amazing fighting spirit, well done ?? #WorldCupFinal

— Nari mene (@narimane_7) July 15, 2018

What were you doing at 19? #Mbappé #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/AZ94bl5c8x

— Arsène's Son (@hughwizzy) July 15, 2018

In years to come, people might look back on the score from this game and and assume that France were the better team.

How wrong they'd be.#WorldCupFinal

— TheLuckyHeron ? (@LuckyHeronSay) July 15, 2018

Not a free-kick and not a penalty… #CRO extremely unlucky with both #FRA goals in this #WorldCupFinal

— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) July 15, 2018

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? (@warnerxdimples) July 15, 2018