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The 2018 FIFA World Cup final was a roller coaster match. Mario Mandzukic scored an own goal in the 18th minute to give France the lead before Ivan Perisic equalized it for Croatia. However, just before the half-time whistle, Antoine Griezmann converted from the spot to give France the lead once again.
France would rack two more sublime goals before a goalkeeping howler gave Croatia a glimmer of a hope. However, the goal would turn into just mere consolation as the scoreline remained 4-2.
Amidst all this chaos, some first-time records were also created in the final. So, without any further ado, here are 4 firsts in FIFA World Cup 2018.
#4 First European Country with less than 5 million population to play the FIFA World Final- Croatia
The record for the country with smallest population to play the FIFA World Cup final is held by Uruguay when they defeated Brazil in the 1950 Jules Rimet trophy. Nonetheless, Croatia can be proud of themselves as they are the smallest country from Europe to achieve the feat.
Countries with huge population like China and India fail to qualify for the World Cup despite their vast human resources. Meanwhile, Iceland with a mere population of 330,000 almost knocked out the mighty Argentines from the competition.
Population is an important parameter to judge a country's performance. A country with just 4.2 million humans reaching the FIFA World Cup final is a hallmark of their football federation to successfully discover and nurture the footballing talents from every corner of their country.
So, does that mean players like Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Mario Mandzukic also reside in India and China? It's quite possible. But, the football governing bodies have failed to utilize them to the fullest extent.
With the population boom being a distinctive feature of the 21st century, it is highly unlikely that this record can be broken. But, football is full of surprises. Perhaps one day, Iceland can qualify for the World Cup finals and inscribe their names in the history books.
#3 First own goal in the FIFA World Cup finals- Mario Mandzukic
There have been 66 goals scored in the previous 19 FIFA World Cup finals (1950 World Cup didn't have a final). Yet, none of them was an own goal. However, there is a saying that there is a first time for everything, and own goal in the FIFA World Cup final took no exception to it.
After cleverly winning a free kick off Brozovic, French magician Antoine Griezmann crossed it in beautifully. The French heads couldn't rise high enough to head the ball home, but Croatia's Mario Mandzukic did the job for them.
Daniel Subasic had no chance whatsoever, and much to the Croatian fans' horror, the ball went into the back of he net.
#2 First VAR to be used in the FIFA World Cup finals- Nestor Vitana
VAR played a pivotal role in this FIFA World Cup. From penalties being given and overturned to its controversy that the on-field referee had the final call to oblige to the VAR decision or not, FIFA's newest technology did all the talking. So much so that it couldn't be spared in the finals as well.
In the 33rd minute, Domagoj Vida couldn't curtail the pressure by the France team, and scuffed the clearance to gift them a corner. The architect of the previous goal, Antoine Griezmann stepped up again, and delivered a sublime cross which went on to hit Perisic's hand. The French team protested immediately and the referee, Nestor Pitana, had to call for the VAR.
Unfortunately for the Croatian fans, the decision would be overturned and Antoine Griezmann converted from the spot to give France the lead again.
#1 First FIFA World Cup finals to have two goals scored from outside the penalty arena- Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba
There have been 19 FIFA World Cup finals and 66 goals in it. But, only Italy's Roberto Boninsegna could score from outside the penalty box in the 1970 FIFA World Cup finals against Brazil. All the rest 65 unforgettable goals came from within the penalty box.
But Paul Pogba's left-foot curler in the 59th minute and Kylian Mbappe's scorcher in 65th minute added two more to the tally. Moreover, those two goals made the all-important difference as France would eventually go on to lift the trophy.
If it weren't for those two goals, the game would have finished 2-2 in regulation time. Looking at the Croat's record in the extra time and penalties, the game could have gone either way. Thankfully for France, it wasn't the case.
