Mbappe days ar here again
French big three put Croats to the sword in one epic final
Joy for as Kylian Mbappe as France lift World Cup for second time after beating Croatia 4-2
ALL for one and one for all, united they stand, legends we call. Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann walked on to the Luzhniki pitch yesterday with their swashbuckling style in tow. They walked off it with France’s second World Cup trophy having inherited the Three Musketeers tag that belonged to Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Lilian Thuram two decades ago. Now their boss Didier Deschamps belongs to another illustrious trio after joining Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer in having kissed the iconic trophy as a player and a manager. All three of Deschamps’s talismen were on the scoresheet as the wounds of losing their own Euro 2016 Final to Portugal were healed. Mbappe wasn’t wearing a jersey the night of that 1-0 extra-time defeat but he will be for years to come as the 19-year-old became the second youngest after Pele to score in a World Cup showpiece. Every member of Les Bleus’ set-up swarmed the pitch at full-time, kissed the turf and each other before Griezmann broke down in tears.
They threw a champagne-soaked Deschamps into the air before the 49-year-old became even more drenched when the heavens opened for the trophy presentation.
At the heart of it all was Pogba, defiantly punching his chest then pointing to the floor at the final whistle to almost indicate he was proving his point on the pitch.
His huge frame dominated midfield when France got to grips with Croatia as the plucky outsiders eventually ran out of legs after three
extra-time duels en route to Moscow. This is Les Bleus’ golden generation based on the experience of Hugo Lloris – even if his howler for Croatia’s second didn’t show it – and Blaise Matuidi beside the youth of Griezmann, Pogba and Mbappe.
With so much talent in their midst, still more was expected. Perhaps Deschamps will release the handbrake now the first of surely many trophies is won.
They did so comfortably enough to make punters forget another VAR controversy.
England’s semi-final conquerors had played 90 more knockout stage minutes and, as well as they started, had nothing left when France took charge.
An 18th-minute lead arrived against the run of play when a dubious free-kick was given and Griezmann floated the ball in. Mario Mandzukic rose, headed the ball to prevent it reaching Pogba – who was offside – and it made its way into his net.
If that was questionable, worse was to follow. But first Croatia levelled.
Ivan Perisic, who was outstanding, showed sublime skill to control the ball with his right foot, sidestep N’Golo Kante then drill home with his left in 29 minutes.
But Perisic was the victim of a big call 10 minutes later. Over came a corner, Matuidi flicked on, the ball hit Perisic’s hand and the French players appealed.
Argentine referee Nestor Pitana never looked then VAR intervened. If it’s only meant to be used for “clear and obvious” mistakes then it did not look it.
A lengthy delay ensued before a penalty was given that Griezmann converted. Croatia, having hauled themselves off the canvas so many times, could not manage it again. Mbappe had not been able to get in the game early on with a scuffed clearance, a bad touch and a squabble with Pogba about not getting a pass earlier.
His magic had not disappeared though – it was just delayed. The 19-year-old skinned Domagoj Vida early in the second half before repeating the trick to help set up Pogba for No.3.
The midfielder had started and finished the move after great work by Griezmann and Mbappe, putting away at the second attempt.
A 25-yard drive made sure all Three Musketeers had a hand in the spoils as Mbappe left Danijel Subasic for dead.
Croatia were gifted a second by Lloris after he tried to dribble round Mandzukic in his six-yard box and was duly punished.
But this tale only ever had one ending.