FIFA WORLD CUP 2018
Final of Finals
France 4 ( M . Mandzukic – Own Goal , A Griezman –Penalty , P.Pogba and K Mbappe )
Croatia 2 ( I Perisic and M Mandzukic )
The curtain of the very eventful FIFA World Cup 2018 at Moscow Russia finally dropped. Fancied France got the better of spirited Croatia in the epic final of the finals 4-2 . This was the second time France became the champions of the world . They won it first time in 1998 beating Brazil . Croatia and France both scored 3 goals in the match. But as ill luck would have it M.Mandzukic scored a suicide goal in own net as early as 18th minutes of the match 1that made it 4-2 for the winners . Ivan Perisic equalized for the Croats in the 28th minute . France went ahead through what many thought a controversial penalty awarded through VAR in the 38th minutes of the match making it 2-1 . The very entertaining first half saw France ahead though Croatia were dominating the possession and France playing waiting game . Suicide goal and penalty on review were seen for the first time in World Cup final. Teenage sensation Kylan Mbappe and mid field maestro Paulo Pogba added two more to French tally in a 6 minutes blitz in the second half taking the match out of Croatia grasp (4-1) . M Mandzukic reduced the margin exploiting a rare error of French Goal Keeper Lloris in the 69th minutes of match 4-2 . France won the championship. But Crotia by no means was disgraced . Luka Modric won the Golden ball for his excellent skills and teenage prodigy K Mbappe was awarded the best young player of the tournament.
Every 20 years since 1958 World Cup witnessed crowning of new king . In 1958 it was Brazil, in 1978 it was Argentina , in 1998 it was France . In 2018 history could be repeated if Croatia would have won it . But steady France playing consistently well through out the tournament did not let history repeated . Eight Countries – Brazil ( 5) , Germany ( 4) , Italy ( 4) , Argentina ( 2) , Uruguay (2) ,France ( 2) , England ( 1) and Spain (1) have won the world cup.
The Red and White color Croats footballers representing one of the smallest country of 4.1 million people nevertheless made its nation proud . Runners up in World Cup 2018 where teams like Germany , Brazil , Argentina , Spain , England , Portugal , Uruguay exited at different stages was no mean achievement . They went down to a better organized them well coached by French hero Didier Deschamps . He became the third person after Mario Zagalo of Brazil and Franz Becekenbauer of Germany winning world cup both as player and coach for their country. This France team is well balanced , combination of brilliant young players and seasoned professionals . They played steadily through out the tournament.
Credits must also go to the Croats which earned the hearts of billions across world playing good aggressive football . They fought all the way through from group matches toppling favorite Argentina to lead the group. Their pre quarter and quarter final match had to be won through tie breakers penalty shoot outs . Even the semi final they won against England in extra time . They never said die even in the final and went down fighting.
Past Records
World Cup finish: France winners (1998), Croatia 3rd (1998)
■ Appearances at World Cup: France 15, Croatia 5
■ Goals scored at 2018 World Cup: France 10, Croatia 12
■ Goals conceded at 2018 World Cup: France 4, Croatia 5
■ Head-to-head wins: France 3, Croatia 0
■ Years since last World Cup Final: France 12, Croatia N/A
■ FIFA world ranking: France 7, Croatia 20
■ Leading goalscorers at 2018 World Cup: France — Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe (3), Croatia — Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric (2)
■ Goals from penalties at 2018 World Cup: France 2, Croatia 1
■ Yellow cards at 2018 World Cup: France 10, Croatia 14
■ Most minutes played at 2018 World Cup: France — Raphael Varane, N’Golo Kante (540), Croatia — Luka Modric (603).
The Match: France was lucky to go ahead in the 18th minute . Antonie Griezman appeared to fall down off a soft tackle winning a free kick about 30meters outside Croatia post. His inch perfect delivery was accidentally glanced into own net by M Mandzukic surprising Subasic ( 1-0 ). Croats were in control at this period dominating the possessions . 28th minutes into the match Croatia equalized. When Ivan Perisic through a sweet left foot volley beat Lloris (1-1) . Much to the contrary of the proceedings France went ahead through a controversial penalty awarded through review. Griezman delivered a cross into Crotas danger area when French player appealed for a hand ball . Argentine Referee first denied it . But after 5 minutes on review he awarded the penalty which Griezman converted 2-1. We are sure this goal will be discussed over and over again.
As mentioned above Pogba and Mbappe delivered two deadly blows on the 59th and 65th minutes of the match making the score 4-1 . Pogba played Mbappe in the wide channel and then calmly curled griezman’s lay ball past a motionless Subasic.
6 minutes after that 19 years old Mbappe who became the first teenage player appearing in WC finals after legendary PELE in 1958 matched the great also in scoring in World Cup final. Defender Lucas Hernandez absorbed a strong challenge of Mandzukic and found Mbappe inside Croatin box. Mbappe power packed right footer found the net . The 4-1 almost settled the issue for France .
Croats were however undaunted. They kept probing . Mandzukic gave them a life line exploiting a horrible mistake of French Goal Keeper Lloris making it 4-2 . France defended and deservedly won the Championship.
For many reasons World CUP 2018 will be remembered as one of best ever . This writer started following the great event since 1996 when England won it at Wembley beating Germany in the Final. BBC radio commentary was the only way to follow . 1970 was the great Brazilian winning in Mexico when Pele , Tostao, Zair Jinho , Carlos Alberto , Rivelinno were heroes . Since 1974 this writer started writing on world Cup. Germany won beating Netherlands . 1978 it was Mradona and Argentina , 1982 it was Italy Paulo Rossi , 1986 it was Maradona and Hands of God . 1990 and 1994 I followed but was too much occupied with professional works. 1998 again followed France winning it. 2002 started writing again when Brazil won in Japan . 2006 was not possible being migrated to Australia . 2010 againstarted writing when Spain won it beating Netherlands . 2014 I covered all matches for Banglanews from Melbourne and Bali , Indonesia . Now in 2018 this is my last report from Melbourne after covering most of the matches from Brisabne . I followed every minutes of the every match.
Allah willing will try to be in Qatar in 2022 .
CONGRATULAIONS FRANCE , WELL DONE CROATIA
BDST: 1623 HRS, JUL 16, 2018
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