The 2018 World Cup comes to an end with, rightfully, the two best teams in the tournament. It's been a great tournament. We had Germany go home early, Argentina just make the second round, and Brazil get dominated by Belgium in the quarterfinals. We also had the hosts Russia take out Spain in round two, England play better than expected, and Panama score their first ever World Cup goal. Good matches and and good stories.
On to France vs Croatia. Mario Mandžukić's own goal at 18' got things started. Antoine Griezmann sent a free kick right to the middle of the box, Mandžukić just got his head to it, and inadvertently sent the ball in the net. The keeper was surprised. Ivan Perišić tied it at 28'. Luka Modrić sent a free kick into the box and it bounced around until Perišić controlled it and rocketed it into the net. Griezmann converted a penalty at 38' to make it 2-1 after VAR confirmed a handball by Ivan Perišić. Bad break and tough call to make in a final. Paul Pogba got his own rebound and shot it past a frozen goalkeeper, 3-1 at 59'. No coming back for Croatia now. Kylian Mbappé put one past an outstretched Danijel Subašić from long-range at 65'. 4-1 France. Start the parades. Hugo Lloris was already celebrating when he caught got off guard by Mario Mandžukić at 69'. Lloris had the ball at his feet a split second too long, Mandžukić got a foot on it, and put it in the net. 4-2, but still a bridge too far for Croatia. That's the way it ended.
France are the 2018 World Cup champions, their second time as champions. They deserved it, even though they kept trotting out an ineffective Olivier Giroud game after game. France has a talented young-ish team that worked well throughout the tournament. Croatia probably deserved better than the final score, but they'll come away with their best ever finish in their short existence as an independent country. Croatia will be a different team at the next EURO and World Cup with Luka Modrić and Mario Mandžukić getting up their in age.
See you in four years in Qatar.