FIFA World Cup Final, France vs Croatia LIVE Updates: Croatia Score the Equaliser at the Half-Hour Mark

France beat Croatia 4-2 in the FIFA World Cup FinalFrance were the first to get on the board after Mandzukic scored an own goal in the 18th minuteFrance went into the half-time break with the 2-1 leadPogba, Mbappe scored in a span of six minutes to give a France 4-1 lead in the 65th minuteMandzukic then scored off an error from Hugo Lloris to make it 4-2."I don't know where I am, it is great... Very happy. It was a difficult match. Croatia play a great game. We started timidly. We knew it was a World Cup Final. We got into the game and on counter attacks, we made the difference. Very happy. We look forward to lifting the cup and taking it to France.""How marvellous! It's a young team, who are on the top of the world. Some are champions at the age of 19. We did not play a huge game but we showed mental quality. And we scored four goals anyway. They deserved to win. The group worked so hard and we had some tough moments along the way. It hurt so much to lose the Euro two years ago, but it made us learn too. The win is not about me, it's the players who won the game. For 55 days, we have done a lot of work. It is the supreme coronation. We are proud to be French, to be Blues. The victory in the match belongs to them. Vive le Republic." PM Modi, Donald Trump, VVS Laxman Congratulate France on WC WinMbappe becomes the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since Pele in 1958. Second World Cup triumph for Les Bleus. France last won the World Cup in 1998 at home.French coach Didier Deschamps now part of an elite company of Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer as the third person to win the World Cup both as a captain and a coach. And its over. France beat Croatia 4-2. France crowned champions for the second time. Didier Deschamps becomes the third person to win the World Cup both as a player and a coach.France Crowned 2018 FIFA World Cup Champions! Croatia Beaten 4-2Pjaca comes off bench to replace StrinicFekir comes on for Giroud.Tolisso comes off the bench to replace Matuidi.Rebic comes off as Kramaric comes in.An error from Hugo Lloris, who tried to dribble around Mario Mandzukic as he closed down the ball. Mandzukic simply stuck out a leg and pushed the ball into the net.France are the first team to score four goals in a World Cup Final since Brazil in 1970.Pogba shoots a left-footer into the net after his first shot is blocked. Pogba’s first goal of the competition.Steven Nzonzi replaces Kante in the French midfield. France going for a more defensive approach.Mbappe Beats Vida but Subasic gets there in time to deny Mbappe his fourth goal of the competition.A perfectly-timed jump from Hugo Lloris saves Les Bleus from the blues.First half is over and what a half it has been. Three goals in 45 minutes! For the first time since 1974, three goals have been scored in the first half of a World Cup final. Croatia with 61% possession has had the lion share of the ball. But two mistakes from the Croatians have helped France the lead. Expect a motivated Croatia to come strong in the second half.Griezmann carefully slides his penalty to his left as the goalkeeper dives in the opposite direction. France back in front.A handball inside the box by Perisic. Argentine referee consults VAR, takes his time and points at the spot.Game on! Ivan Perisic takes control, steps around his marker and slams a left-footed drive into the far corner.Mandzukic scores an own goal after Griezmann curls one in from a set-piece. First-ever own goal in a World Cup final.Griezmann fouled by Brozovic. Will Griezmann convert it again?The two teams are out in the tunnel as they await their biggest match of their lives while the World Cup trophy is brought onto the pitch by the 2014 champions Germany skipper Philip Lahm.The teams are out in the middle amid loud cheers from the crowd. Their respective national Anthems are being played.Nicky Jam, Will Smith and Era Istrefi performed the Official Song of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia 'Live It Up'.France: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kanté, Mbappé, Griezmann, Matuidi, Giroud.Croatia: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Strinic, Lovren, Vida, Rakitic, Modric, Brozovic, Perisic, Mandzukic, Rebic.Hello and welcome to our Live Blog for the final of the FIFA World Cup 2018 where France and Croatia are all set to a face each other.France, who are making their third appearance in the final, beat Belgium 1-0 in the quarter-final while Croatia came back from one goal down to beat England 2-1 in extra-time to make it to their maiden World Cup final. Both France and Croatia are yet to lose a match in Russia.Mbappe and Greizmann will be the players to look out in the French side. The duo has scored three goals each till now in the competition.In the Croatian camp, a lot will depend on the star-studded midfield comprising captain Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic.French coach Didier Deschamps will look to join the elite company of Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer as the third person to win the World Cup both as a captain and a coach.(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)

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FIFA WC 2018 Final | France Are The New Champions!

Catch all the live updates from the final of the FIFA World Cup 2018 between France and Croatia.

We Present to You The New World Cup Champions! FRANCE!

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