Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Produced Expected Thriller As France Beat Croatia 4-2

France won the World Cup for the second time by beating Croatia 4-2 in a tremendous final in Moscow.

A breathtaking encounter featured the first World Cup final own goal, two hugely controversial refereeing decisions and a goalkeeping howler.

France’s victory meant Didier Deschamps, who captained them to glory in 1998, became just the third man to win the competition as a player and coach.

Croatia started brightly but France scored with their first attack as Mario Mandzukic headed Antoine Griezmann’s controversially awarded free-kick into his own net.

As in all their previous knockout games, Croatia pulled level, this time through a well-taken goal from Ivan Perisic.

Just 10 minutes later France led again, after Perisic was adjudged to have deliberately handled Blaise Matuidi’s flick-on – but only after referee Nestor Pitana consulted the video assistant referee.

Griezmann converted the spot-kick, and France took control as Paul Pogba curled in a superb third and Kylian Mbappe stroked home to become the second teenager to score in a World Cup final.

A horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris gave Croatia hope, as his misplaced pass hit Mandzukic and rolled in, but France held firm.