IT’S PARTY TIME
Griezmann proud as ‘united’ France lift World Cup for a second time
Antoine Griezmann hailed France after Les Bleus secured a second World Cup thanks to last night’s 4-2 final victory over Croatia.
Griezmann was on target alongside Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe as France rode their luck to see off the Croats in Moscow, helped by an opening own goal from Mario Mandzukic.
Atletico Madrid star Griezmann revelled in France’s celebrations in the rain and saluted his teammates: “I don’t realise yet what it is. I’m very proud of this team: the players and the staff, the technical staff and medical staff.
“We were really a united group,” said the France forward.
“We did something incredible, we made history and we are going to enjoy it.
“We’re going to see our families and we’re going to party. Tomorrow in France will be the same, we’re going to party with the French people.”
France boss Didier Deschamps, who was skipped when the nation last won the World Cup in 1998, was bombarded by his players at his post-match press conference.
They threw water and beer around and sang “Didier Deschamps”, while some stood on the press conference table and hugged him before shouting “Vive la France”.
Deschamps said afterwards: “They’re young and they are happy. They’re crazy.”
Discussing the victory, he added: “I had a very young group, 14 of them were on a discovery journey in the World Cup. “But the quality was there. “My greatest source of pride with this group is that 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.
“There are imperfections and we didn’t do everything right( yesterday ), but we do have those mental and psychological qualities that were decisive for this World Cup.
“In the first half of this final, we didn’t have much but we were leading 2-1.
“So, of course the question to be asked is always: are France a beautiful champion?
“Well, we are world champions and France are going to be on top of the world for next four years. That’s what needs to be remembered.”
France rode their luck before roaring past Croatia to win the World Cup for a second time as a thrilling tournament came to a fitting conclusion yesterday.
All eyes were fixed on Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium for a showpiece finale that few could have predicted when this action-packed summer started in Russia.
The clash brought goals, blunders and controversy as France eventually ran out 4-2 victors, an unforgettable end to a tournament that will live long in the memory.
Played at a ferocious intensity from the outset, Croatia continued in the same manner that had seen off England in the semi-finals only for Mario Mandzukic to become the first player to score an own goal in a World Cup final after turning in Antoine Griezmann’s contentiously-awarded free-kick.
Ivan Perisic produced a thumping response toe level with a thunderous strike as Zlatko Dalic’s men deservedly drew level, only for France to go 2-1 ahead as the video assistant referee’s first intervention in a major final allowed Griezmann to score from the spot.
Furious remonstrations followed Perisic’s handling in the box and referee Nestor Pitana watched the TV monitor on the advice of VAR Massimiliano Irrati and his team.
The Argentinian official watched replay after replay before pointing to the spot, to the indignation of those connected to Croatia. Griezmann kept his cool amid a brewing storm to coolly send penaltysaving expert Danijel Subasic the wrong way.
There was little let-up after the break. Following a pitch invasion that Russian punk rock group Pussy Riot have claimed responsibility for, Paul Pogba struck home kleft-footed at the second attempt before Kylian Mbappe followed in Pele’s footsteps by scoring in a World Cup final as a teenager, firing a low effort from distance past a statuesque Subasic.
Hugo Lloris’s daft gaffe allowed Mandzukic to reduce the deficit, but the France captain would not be denied lifting the trophy as coach Didier Deschamps helped Les Bleus to the title 20 years after doing so as a player.
Final debutants Croatia will rue what could have been here, especially given a firsthalf display that saw Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic act as midfield puppet masters.
Barcelona star Rakitic said: “We were the better team in the first half, we were attacking, but we were unlucky. They scored four goals from their three shots on goal. But I congratulate France – they deserved it.”
Dalic said: “I have to congratulate my players, it was maybe the best game we played in these championships; we controlled the match but we conceded. We are a bit sad, but we have to be proud for what we’ve done.”