'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After an emotional turmoil of a month, the footballing carnival of the 2018 FIFA World Cup has finally come to an end. Only one team stands tall at the end of it all: Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus.
The French boss joined the glorious list of people to win the prestigious trophy as a captain, as well as a coach.
The final of the competition was a riveting contest between one of the tournament favourites against a team that had battled all odds to make it there. Eventually, the experience and exuberance of the French team helped them come out on top of the encounter, winning it 4-2 at the end of it all.
The opening goal of the match came off a cross from Antoine Griezmann, which was headed into his own net by Mario Mandzukic.
Croatia equalized just ten minutes later with a thumping strike from Ivan Perisic. France's second goal of the game came through a penalty, which was awarded to them after VAR consultation for a handball from the Croatian goalscorer. Paul Pogba doubled their lead in the second half before Kylian Mbappe buried the match with a strike in the 65th minute.
A forgettable moment from the French goalkeeper saw Mandzukic score the last goal of the game. However, France remained in control thereafter, clinching World Cup glory after 20 years with a 4-2 scoreline.
Listed below are three key battles that decided the outcome of the encounter:
#3 Lucas Hernandez vs Ante Rebic
The French left-back played a quiet role in the final, but an important one. His understated effort kept Ante Rebic at bay, minimizing the generation of Croatia's chances from the right flank.
Lucas Hernandez made a couple of very important interceptions through the game and cut the Croatian forward's dribble success by a substantial margin. Rebic had just one significant shot on goal through the game, which was handled by a sharp save from the French captain and goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris.
The attacking midfielder was substituted in the 71st minute, which was a testament to the limited impact that he had in the game and the authority with which Hernandez dealt with him on the day.
#2 Kylian Mbappe vs Ivan Strinic
The French sensation, who predictably clinched the award for the best young player of the tournament, was brilliant in the final yet again. He created a plethora of problems for the opposition left-back, Ivan Strinic, who probably was the worst player on the pitch on the day.
Kylian Mbappe kept cutting in from the flank, slaloming through the Croatian defence and outrunning their backline with his gazelle-like pace. The 19-year-old became only the second teenager to find the back of the net in a World Cup final, after the legendary Pele.
His strike came in the 65th minute of the game, when he controlled a ball from Hernandez with absolute mastery, slamming it into the right corner of Subasic's goal.
Strinic, on the other hand, had a horrific day in the office. He won just two out of nine duels, had zero per cent success rate on his dribbles as well as aerial duals. Mbappe run riot over him throughout the game, failing to put shackles on the young forward.
#1 Paul Pogba vs Marcelo Brozovic
Marquee French midfielder, Paul Pogba, saved his best for the last, as he churned out a brilliant performance in the final, controlling the pace of the game. His flamboyant form was little too much for Marcelo Brozovic, Pogba's counterpart on the other side of the pitch.
The Manchester United player's Man-of-the-Match effort was pivotal to France's victory on the day, and his goal probably was the most important strike of the game, pushing the scoreline to a safe cushion at 3-1.
Brozovic was pretty good on the attack, but could not fulfil his defensive duty against the forward penetration from France. He was exposed especially in the air, losing four out of seven aerial duels on the day.
Who do you think was the best player on the pitch tonight? Tell us in the comments below!
