KUWAIT, July 15 (KUNA) -- France won the World Cup for the second time in its history, keeping a clean record at Russia until outscoring Croatia 4-2 in the final clash, held at Moscow on Sunday.
The French squad was unbeaten throughout the tournament, securing a clear record in group stages, to knock out Argentina in round of 16, then Uruguay in the quarter finals and then Belgium in the semi finals.
France won their first World Cup in 1998 when the tournament was held in their country, and current coach Didier Deschamps was a player at that time.
Deschamps became the third man, after Brazil's Mario Zagallo and German Franz Beckenbauer - to win the World Cup as both a player and manager.
France, along with other few teams like Croatia and Belgium, for example, was dominating the World Cup with a young squad which combined speed and talents, key factors that contributed to their advancement to the final and indeed winning the title.
The 2018 World Cup, in fact, carried many surprises like the knockout of big teams who were regular favorites.
Defending champion Germany failed to advance to round of 16 and left the World Cup from group stages. 2014 World Cup runner-up Argentina was knockout by France, Russia ousted 2010 Champion Spain, and Belgium beat Brazil 2-1 in the quarter finals.
In Today's game the French took the lead when Antione Griezmann, named Man of the Match, floated in a free-kick from the right side of the area but Mario Mandzukic was in an unfortunate position to flick a header into top corner of his own team's net.
Croatia kept their rhythm and succeeded in levelling the score in 28 minute, when Ivan Perisic took control of the ball inside the area, changed position and fired a lefty that landed in the far corner of Hugo Lloris.
France were awarded a penalty after the referee reviewed the VAR in the 36 minute. Griezmann was the man and he converted the ball to give France a 2-1 lead.
The second half was a French one. Paul Pogba extended the lead to 3-1 in 59 minute. The Manchester United midfielder swept a left-footer into the net of Danijel Subasic.
Then came Kylian Mbappe who found a space outside Croatia's area and bounced a finish past Subasic in 65 minute.
Croatia managed to reduce the deficit in 69 minute, when Mandzukic scored the second goal.
Mbappe was named FIFA Young Player Award, while Croatia's Luka Modric won the Golden Ball Award. Belgium's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove Award and England's Harry Kane won the Golden Boot.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic thanked his players for their performance and achievement by reaching the final for the first time in the country's history.
Although Croatia conceded four goals, Dalic saw his team come to life and dominate the game.
Dalic was curious about how unlucky his team was during the match and cited the previous six games as having more luck in their favour, but despite that, he congratulated his players on the dominating display on the pitch, which he saw as the best game they have played in the tournament.
Making mistakes against a team such as France is unforgiving, and conceding goals against such a strong side is difficult to recover from, believed Dalic as he analyzed the game and said, "It was a very good match on our part, but four goals were conceded, and you cannot expect a good result when you concede four.
"We are a bit sad, but we have to be proud as well for what we have done," said Dalic as he rounded up his players after the final defeat to raise their spirits following an incredible display. "We were dignified in all our victories and defeat." France's coach Didier Deschamps believed the young team he led was on a discovery journey during the tournament, but displayed quality on the pitch, that made it his greatest source of pride.
"They managed to have the right state of mind for such a tournament. I repeat all the time: never give up, never give up anything," said Deschamps.
The French team did not perform at its best during the game, said Deschamps, but the mentality of the players was decisive not only for the final result but also throughout the World Cup.
Asked if France is a worthy champion of the World Cup, Deschamps answered with confidence, "Well, we are world champions, and France are going to be on top of the world for the next four years. That's what needs to be remembered." (end) bs.aq