2018 FIFA World Cup: 3 major takeaways from the Final

#1 French players scored clinically

Champions!

France were the dominant team in the second-half despite not dominating possession. Having got an upper hand in the first due to the own goal from Mandzukic and Griezmann's excellent penalty, France were looking more threatening in the second-half and were also using Mbappe's pace on the right wing wisely.

Paul Pogba who was making daunting runs at the Croatian defense was the most effective player for France. He was rewarded in the 59th minute when his shot from his right foot rebounded back to him after hitting Modric which he then hit with his weaker left foot into the bottom left corner of the Croatian net to make the score 3-1 for France.

In the 65th minute, Hernandez's long ball from the left side of the defense found Mbappe in the middle of the pitch who controlled the ball beautifully, took on the Croatian defense, and hit a low strike from 25 yards leaving no chance for Subasic to save it to make the score 4-1 for France.

Hence, the French's shooting prowess was one of the key reasons for France's triumph in the final.