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Sunday, Luzhiniki Stadium, Moscow 

The French flag waved with flying colors in the city of Moscow in the World Cup Finals on Sunday. It was a spectacular contest between the Croatians and the French and in the end is was the men in blue who had the upper hand. The one month long tournament has concluded and it is France who is taking the trophy home. 

A match in the midst of Presidents, Prime Ministers and 70,000 people in the Luzhiniki Stadium had some serene scene to offer; an own goal, a VAR penalty and a comedy goal conceded by the French goalkeeper Morris. The score line at the end of the game was France 4, Croatia 2. Brave Croatia who were in the final of the World Cup for the first time in history will go home as heroes. 

The two nations had previously met five times with French winning the 3 matches while the other matches were drawn. All other previous World Cup Finals had gone in extra-time but not this one. At 18? a free kick was awarded to Antoine Greizman, the French center forward lofted the ball towards the Croatian goal and unfortunately the proceeding ball took Mandzukic header into his own goal, giving France a goals lead. What a nightmare it was for Mandzukic who had scored the winning goal in the semi-finals against England. It was the first ever own goal in the World Cup finals. This year?s World Cup has seen a record of 12 own goals. 

The hero for Croatian side in the tournament Ivan Perisic pulled the trigger in the 28? and netted a screamer into the French goal. It was game on as both the teams were now level. Perisic has been involved in 11 goals for the Croatian side in major tournaments. 

10? later the French were given a spot kick through VAR, Ivan Perisic who had jumped to stop the French cross from the left flank was struck on hand by the ball. Though it was a tough call the official took his time and gave away the penalty. Greizman made no mistake and netted the ball. The French were now ahead again. 3 goals were witnessed in World Cup Finals in first half since 1974. At half time France was a goal ahead. 

The 2nd half was a French show, although Croatia had 63% of the ball it were the French who played some good football and struck fabulous goals. At 59? Paul Pogba scored from outside the penalty box making his goal into a World Cup classic moment. Mbappe broke down from the right flank and the ball found Pogba?s foot by deflection. He made no error and stuck the ball on the left corner of the Croatian goal. 

At 68? history was made as Mbappe became the first teenager after PELE to score a World Cup final goal since 1958. A low strike from 25 yards away, Mbappe drilled in the 1st teenager goal since 1958. What a moment! A 3 goal lead and France were set to lift the trophy. 

Just 1? later the French goalkeeper Lloris made a fool out of himself as he tried to dribble away the ball from approaching Mandzukic who cleverly tackled Lloris and scored a goal for Croatia. Croatia just had a little time to score 2 goals in order to stop France from winning the World Cup. Fresh legs were brought on by Croatia but that wasn?t enough. Time slipped away from Croatia?s hands and so did the World Cup trophy. 

This is the second time France has won the World Cup after 20 years. Manager Deschamps became the 3rd person to win World Cup both as manager and a player. $30 million will be given as prize money to the Champions, runners up Croatia will get $28 million. The highest goal scorer from England Harry Kane with 6 goals will get the Golden Boot.     

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