MAN BY MAN

FRANCE

HUGO LLORIS

6Will wonder forever why he blotted his copybook with an unnecessary piece of grandstanding which cost his side a goal and briefly threatened to bring the tie alive. Blameless prior to that and still captained his country to the trophy.

BENJAMIN PAVARD

6Croatia seemed to be targeting the right-back early on, frequently catching him out of position. He was more assured as the game settled down but one area where France could use an upgrade.

RAPHAEL VARANE

7An assured outing from the Real Madrid defender. He moved the ball stylishly out of defence, never became flustered and made one exceptionally well-timed intervention as Croatia threatened to pierce the offside trap.

SAMUEL UMTITI

7His first touch of the match saw him dribble past Luka Modric on the edge of his own area, a sure sign of confidence. Showed just the right amount of physicality and can hardly be blamed for the backpass which Lloris turned into a goal.

LUCAS HERNANDEZ

7Harsh to be booked for what seemed a well-timed sliding tackle but did not let the setback affect his performance. Tight positionally and banked an assist.

N’GOLO KANTE

5Culpable for Croatia’s first goal, giving away the free-kick and then failing to close down Ivan Perisic. Was compromised by his booking in the same incident and made way early in the second half.

PAUL POGBA

8Managed a big World Cup moment by firing home his side’s third from the edge of the area. Had already produced some fine passes for others and showed off his wide range of skills by taking on different roles throughout the game.

BLAISE MATUIDI

6A low-key performer whose instructions are to help others look good. Solid but unremarkable and kept firmly on his duties.

KYLIAN MBAPPE

8Football’s next global star frightened the life out of Croatia when he had a clear run at them, showing all-comers a clean pair of heels. Lashed home from distance to get his name on the scoresheet and would have done more damage with better ammunition.

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN

8Won and delivered the free-kick from which France took the lead and stroked home from the penalty spot. A responsible and reliable frontman who has done as much as anyone to bring France to the summit of the world game.

OLIVIER GIROUD

7Still no goals in the competition but neither he nor Deschamps will give that much concern. His ability to tie up defenders and fight the aerial battle allows the A-listers around him to flourish.

SUBS

Steven Nzonzi (for Kante) Stiffened the French spine in the second half. 6

Corentin Tolisso (for Matuidi) Took the mantle from Matuidi and was suitably understated in the grafter’s slot. 6

Nabil Fekir (for Giroud)

Given the chance to sample the moment with his late introduction. Will have better chances than this to prove his own merits. 5

CROATIA

DANIJEL SUBASIC

5Not egregiously to blame for any of the four goals but on the biggest stage of his life he would probably wish to find a way to keep one of them out.

SIME VRSALJKO

6Not as prominent as he been en route to the final but deserved better when he dropped a deep cross invitingly into the six-yard box at 2-1 down.

DEJAN LOVREN

5Brave to talk himself up as one of the best defenders on the planet after seeing off England, but he found Les Bleus a step up and he did not make the grade. Dealt better with the Pussy Riot invasion than the France forwards.

DOMAGOJ VIDA

6More comfortable standing up against Giroud than when forced to peel left and double up on Mbappe. He was committed and never lacked heart but was outmatched overall. Nodded a decent chance wide.

IVAN STRINIC:

5Given a torrid time by Mbappe after it was established from an early stage he simply did not have the legs to match the teenager. At his best when overlapping in attack but chances to do so dried up after the break.

MARCELO BROZOVIC

6Made a goal-saving clearance at 3-1 down but was largely unable to apply the handbrake in an area of the pitch where France made all of the running.

IVAN RAKITIC

7A bright all-round display from the Barcelona man, pictured. He won possession, supplemented attacks and passed the ball judiciously. Influence waned but easy to see his pedigree.

LUKA MODRIC

7Produced a couple of sumptuous passes early to pull France out of shape and caused plenty of nervy moments with his dead-ball expertise. Croatia’s sapping campaign eventually caught up with him.

ANTE REBIC

6Unable to make much of a dent up against Matuidi and Hernandez. Got clear on one occasion but saw his snapshot tipped over.

IVAN PERISIC

7Has the swagger and skillset of a star. His goal was a delightful combination of awareness and technique and when Croatia were ascendant it was down to him. Unlucky to give away a penalty for handball.

MARIO MANDZUKIC

7The man who earned Croatia their place in the final became the first player to score an own-goal on the biggest stage of all. Prodded home after Lloris’ brain-fade to repay his debt to the team.

SUBS

Andrej Kramaric (for Rebic)

Tried to muscle his way into the game but hardly managed to get a sniff of goal. 5

Marko Pjaca (for Strinic):

A late tactical reshuffle brought him into the equation but he always looked an unlikely game-changer. 5