France win World Cup, bring back title after 20 years

France have won the World Cup title after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final, repeating as champions after the 1998 title.

The World Cup Final in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium saw Les Bleus taking the lead in the 18th minute, when Mario Mandzukic headed in Antoine Griezmann’s free-kick cross into his own net.

Croatia leveled the match at 1-1 in the 28th minute, Ivan Perisic’s half-volley just inside the penalty area found the bottom right corner.

In the 38th minute, France were awarded a penalty after referee checked with Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Griezmann made no mistake from the spot to give 2-1 lead to his team.

The second half also saw three goals, France increased the lead to 4-1 within six minutes with Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe.

Pogba’s goal was his first goal of the tournament, but it came in the right time, giving France 3-1 lead. 19-year-old sensation Mbappe’s goal in the 65th minute was his fourth of the tournament.

In the 69th minute, Croatia pulled one back as goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’ big mistake led to Mandzukic easily scoring the ball.

Lloris tried to dribble around Mandzukic, but the Croatian closed down the goalkeeper, stuck out his leg to tap the ball into the empty goal.

The last World Cup Final with at least three goals was 20 years ago, in 1998 at the Stade de France, when France beat Brazil 3-0 to win their first ever World Cup title.