won their second World Cup after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.
Les Blues took the lead through an unfortunate own goal from Mario Mandzukic before Ivan Perisic levelled the scores midway through the first half.
Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe all found the net to seal the victory before Mandzukic bagged a consolation.
We pass judgement on players from both sides in Moscow.
France (4-2-3-1)
Hugo Lloris – 6
Awful mistake to allow Mario Mandzukic to pull one back. Lucky his team-mates had already sealed the result.
Benjamin Pavard – 8
Great showing from the 22-year-old. Started a little slowly but grew into the game.
Raphael Varane – 8
An absolute rock at the back. Put everything on the line for his team.
Samuel Umtiti – 7.5
Impressive display at the back and effective when going forward.
Lucas Hernandez – 7
Disciplined at the back. Did what was required of him without fuss.
Paul Pogba – 8.5
Continues to prove his critics wrong with his national side. Capped an immense display with the biggest goal of his career to put the French in firm control.
N’Golo Kante – 6.5
Not his best outing in a congested midfield. Booked and substituted early on in the second half.
Blaise Matuidi – 8
Another important performance in the centre of the park. Never stopped running or working for his team-mates.
Antoine Griezmann – 8
Lively throughout. Great ball to help break the deadlock. Incredibly cool penalty under huge pressure.
Olivier Giroud – 7.5
Another good shift from the Chelsea striker. Little in terms of a goal threat but plenty of effective hold-up play.
Kylian Mbappe – 8.5
Looked dangerous from the first minute. Capped a great tournament with a fine strike from outside the box.
Substitutes
Steven Nzonzi (for Kante 55) 6.5, Corentin Tolisso (for Matuidi 73) 6, Nabil Fekir (for Giroud 81) 6
Manager: Didier Deschamps 8
The first Frenchman to win the World Cup as a player and a Coach.
Croatia (4-2-3-1)
Danijel Subasic – 6
Couldn’t have done much about any of the four goals, even if he was left rooted to the ground for a couple. But composed for the most part.
Sime Vrsaljko – 6
Kept fighting and scrapping but France’s quality was ultimately too much for the defender.
Dejan Lovren – 6
Struggled to deal with the movement of France’s forwards. Labelled himself ‘one of the best defenders in the world’. Not on this performance.
Domagoj Vida – 7
His side’s best defender. Showed great pace and desire at times to deal with the likes of Griezmann and Mbappe.
Ivan Strinic – 6.5
Tough afternoon for the full-back. Looked slightly out of his depth.
Ivan Rakitic – 7
A big part of Croatia’s bright start. Drifted out of the game as it went on
Ante Rebic – 6
Another who seemed fatigued after Croatia’s marathon run to the final. Replaced in the second half.
Marcelo Brozovic – 6.5
Kept things ticking over in midfield. France struggled to deal with the Inter Milan man at times.
Ivan Perisic – 8
His team’s most dangerous attacking threat. Caused problems throughout and netted a brilliant strike to draw them level. Unfortunate handball to give away the penalty.
Luka Modric – 7
Not quite as influential as he has been throughout the tournament. Some moments of quality, particularly in the first half, but looked to be feeling the effects of his side’s consecutive extra-time wins.
Mario Mandzukic – 7.5
Unfortunate to score the first own goal in a World Cup final. Never stopped working and made up for it with an opportunistic strike of his own.
Substitutes: Marko Pjaca (for Strinic 81) 6, Andrej Kramaric (for Rebic 71) 6
Manager: Zlatko Dalic 6.5
One step too far his team. They’ll be welcomed home as heroes nonetheless.
Source Sports Mail.
Enock Mugabi aka iWitness is a Journalist, Seasoned Writer and Music Analyst with a passion for sports.
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