THE BEST SINCE 1966
An old-fashioned scoreline, but a very modern performance. france gave this World Cup the send- off it deserved, and the champions, too.
At times they rode their luck and Croatia were their equals, at least, for much of the game. Ultimately, though, france had too much for them.
They won by a scoreline last seen in 1966 — and previously in 1930 and 1938 — but this is very much a 21st- century team. They are organised and selfless as a defensive unit, they have the world’s most exciting new talent in Kylian Mbappe and they have reacquainted us all with the Paul Pogba Manchester United
bought, rather than the one Old Trafford has witnessed.
Pogba was excellent yesterday, as was Raphael Varane — again — as was Didier Deschamps, their coach and now the third man to win the World Cup as player and manager.
It is impossible to underestimate his input here. He had faith in a mercurial 19- year- old but the pragmatic sense to see that he also needed Olivier Giroud to lead the line. He was capable of sending out a team to play one of the most exhilarating games against Argentina, but also of shutting it down against Belgium.
He knows the value of humble water- carriers. Giroud did not have a single shot on target in the tournament, but Deschamps knew what he brought and stayed with him.
There were thunderclaps above the Luzhniki Stadium throughout the 90 minutes, matched by some pretty big ones on the field. The thunderclap of VAR that helped restore France’s first-half lead, the thunderclap of Pogba’s goal, capping a tournament that must make for raised eyebrows at United, the thunderclap of Mbappe’s fourth goal of the tournament, the most by any teenager since Pele in 1958.
This is a young French side, with an average age the same as England’s. There is more to come, no matter how many European Championship matches Wembley will host in 2020.
Still, spare a thought for the runners-up. Some even thought Croatia the better team here — although clever dick counterintuitiveness is now close to a global pastime in the social media age — and certainly their capacity for battle after three extra-time knockout matches was nothing short of remarkable.
They had the better of the first half, and more possession throughout, and only goalkeeper Danijel Subasic seemed wearied and made little attempt to keep out either of France’s second-half goals.
Bizarre fact? This is the fourth consecutive World Cup final in which the losing goalkeeper has been playing for Monaco. If Joe Hart is superstitious and looking for a new club, at least he now knows where not to go.
This was the first World Cup final since 1974 to see three goals before half-time, and Antoine Griezmann was at the centre of it all despite only touching the ball once in the opening 12 minutes. After 18 he won the foul that led to the opener. That was soft, mind you, Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana falling for a little tumble. Griezmann flighted the free-kick in and Mario Mandzukic jumped and diverted it off the top of his head into his own net.
This really has been the tournament of set-pieces. Own goals, too — a record 12 scored in Russia — although the hapless Mandzukic is the first to get one to his name in a World Cup final.
Croatia hit back with the leveller their play deserved. France had several chances to clear a Luka Modric free-kick before Domagoj Vida steered the ball back to Ivan Perisic. He controlled it with his right, dragged it on to his left and his low shot left Hugo Lloris no chance. If Manchester United are serious about prising him away from Inter Milan, the valuation just went up £10million.
This has been the VAR World Cup, though, so it was appropriate that the new technology played a part. The problem — or rather the reality — of VAR is that some decisions are a matter of personal interpretation and remain so even after repeated video replays.
The goal that gave France the lead a second time was like that. The replay confirmed only that there had been a handball; what the official does with it from there is down to the individual.
Pitana gave it, one imagines a number of his contemporaries would not. All we can say as neutrals is that, all things considered, it was probably best that England did not make it to the final.
A contentious penalty given to France, against England, by an Argentinian? Not sure the nation in its present febrile state is evolved enough to handle that.
To these eyes, it seemed devilishly hard on Perisic, and it never looks good when a referee toddles off to consult a TV only after furious protests from players with a hugely vested interest.
That is what happened in the 36th minute, blue shirts surrounding Pitana after a corner had been blocked at the near post. Bottom
line: it hit Perisic’s hand. But in his defence, there was a French player directly in front of him who he might have expected to get a touch. When he didn’t, the ball came on to Perisic at speed. His hand didn’t seem in an unnatural position, and he didn’t appear to make great movement towards the ball. After France called their meeting, Pitana obediently went over to watch and came back with a penalty.
Griezmann played his hand brilliantly. He sent Subasic the wrong way, and stuck it in the bottom left corner, quite gently. It was a masterclass in cool.
Two goals in six second-half minutes then took the final away from Croatia. Mbappe had been relatively quiet until that point, but showed why he is this World Cup’s breakout star. It was his speed that took him beyond Ivan Strinic after 59 minutes, cutting the ball back for Griezmann. He held the ball up perfectly for Pogba who shot, edge of the area, with his right. It rebounded back to him and he hit it, first time, with his left — like a kid playing against the school wall. Subasic barely moved.
France had a two-goal advantage with 30 minutes to spare. Deschamps first made the universal gesture to ‘calm down’, then decided he couldn’t contain himself, and started punching the air in the direction of France’s small travelling contingent.
The fourth was the killer. Lucas Hernandez went on a powerful run and did well to stay on his feet, despite some robust tackling. He switched the ball inside to Mbappe, who had no right to try his luck, but did anyway. Kids, eh? He beat Subasic to his right, again with minimal resistance. France’s bench cleared as the whole squad chased Mbappe into the corner.
It should have been over, except Croatia got the sniff of revival when Lloris was given a reminder of why he is in goal. Trying to play sweeper and taking the ball around Mandzukic, he lost out to a tackle that took the ball into the net. It didn’t matter, the contest was over.
It only remained for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to get soaked in a well-timed cloudburst having kept the players waiting 30 minutes for the trophy presentation.
You see? It really has been an excellent World Cup.