The France football team was crowned world champions as they defeated an underdogs Croatian team 4-2 in the FIFA World Cup 2018 final in Moscow on Sunday (July 15). It was France’s second World Cup title and their first since 1998.
France secured the lead after 18 minutes when Antoine Griezmann's free-kick deflected in off Mario Mandzukic's head. However, Croatia were certainly the better side in the first half and deservedly equalised courtesy Ivan Perisic's left-foot finish.
Croatia were left with a sense of injustice when France re-established their lead seven minutes before half-time through Griezmann's penalty, awarded by referee Nestor Pitana for handball against Perisic following an extended delay.
In a compelling second half, France looked to have wrapped it up with two strikes in six minutes from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe either side of the hour mark. Croatia, however, showed indestructible spirit and even threatened a comeback when Mandzukic took advantage of France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’ uncertainty over a clearance to pull a goal back.
France eventually closed out the win which led to a wild celebration from its fans in the stadium and all across the globe.
Cricket fraternity also lauded the resounding victory of French football team. Here are all the praising tweets:
An eventful World Cup finals to say the least! This one will definitely go down in the history books. Congratulations @equipedefrance! #FifaWorldCup2018
— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) July 15, 2018
Congrats France ????????
— Carlos Brathwaite (@TridentSportsX) July 15, 2018
Congrats @paulpogba
#FRANCE ????CHAMPIONS football World Cup 2018
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) July 15, 2018
Congratulations to France on the well deserved victory in the #WorldCupFinal . Croatia should be very proud of their performance & showed great character. Overall it was a wonderfully organised tournament & congratulations to Russia for organising it so well #FrancevsCroatia pic.twitter.com/kKIq90WCTS
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 15, 2018
Congratulations France ???????? on winning the World Cup and well done to Croatia ???????? for doing so well and fighting till the end .. really enjoyed watching this tournament....
— Azhar Ali (@AzharAli_) July 15, 2018
Well done France ????????, Croatia hold your heads up high. What a World Cup it was.
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) July 15, 2018
FRANCE ???????? CHAMPION 2018 WORLD CUP ⚽️ @FIFAWorldCup GREAT TOURNAMENT????????
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 15, 2018
Congratulations #FRA for winning their second #WorldCup title. They were by far the best team in the tournament and thoroughly deserve to lift the trophy. Well played, #CRO who were fantastic and displayed lot of heart. pic.twitter.com/YEP63ujxri
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) July 15, 2018
This was surely a World Cup final, which the World will never forget.????
— Jasprit bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) July 15, 2018
Brilliant effort showed by both the teams throughout the tournament.
Well played #CRO
Congratulations #Fra on the win.#FraCro #WorldCupFinals @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/3Kvmwk3Xp4
Croatia deserves a lot of credit for making the final against all odds & played great football, showed amazing spirit and won many hearts. But many congratulations to France on being the worthy winners. Was a great World Cup, beautifully hosted by Russia #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/AdusTXxa0Q
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 15, 2018
Congratulations to France on winning the finals, by far the best team in the @FIFAWorldCup 2018 ! Bit harsh on Croatia on the penalty though #WorldCupFinal
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 15, 2018
Congratulations to France on becoming World Champions. Well deserved. Sports teaches so much to us and Croatia taught us perseverance and played with such heart and determination and should be very proud of themselves . #WorldCupFinal
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 15, 2018
While #France conquered the @FIFAWorldCup my team #Croatia conquered fear of an underdog. Congratulations to both. #FootballWorldCup
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 15, 2018
