France, Croatia put on a show in wild 1st half of World Cup final

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15: Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates after scoring a penalty for his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.

Matthias Hangst / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The World Cup final between France and Croatia is living up to expectations.

France grabbed the lead early in the encounter courtesy of an own goal by Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic off Antoine Griezmann's set piece.

The first goal of the final being an own goal off a set piece is the perfect summation of the 2018 World Cup.
— Brooks Peck (@BrooksDT) July 15, 2018

That "own goal in the World Cup Final" face

#WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/1TW75vaKiQ
— Sports = Life (@SportzzTweetzz) July 15, 2018

The lead was short-lived, as Ivan Perisic sent Croatia supporters into a frenzy when his blistering shot zipped past Hugo Lloris.

Perisic the Croatian Perseus slays flat-footed France🚀🚀🚀
— jamie jackson (@JamieJackson___) July 15, 2018

Only second time in 32 years both teams have scored in a #WorldCup final.
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) July 15, 2018

Less than 10 minutes before half-time, Video Assistant Referee made its first appearance in a World Cup final. France was awarded a penalty after the match official, Nestor Pitana, missed a handball in the Croatia box.

Noooooooo!!!! Can’t give that. Jeez VAR.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 15, 2018

Massive peal of thunder just now. Nestor Pitana has displeased the gods.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) July 15, 2018

I think I've said this 100 times to increasingly bored friends during this World Cup, but watching football in slow-motion distorts everything. VAR has altered the rules on handballs without the wording being changed.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) July 15, 2018

Looked bad in slow motion. Ref has a guess in the middle of a game where he's running around. VAR can be good for obvious stuff. That was bollocks.
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) July 15, 2018

Griezmann stepped up to calmly convert and give France a 2-1 lead at the break.

Antoine Griezmann's penalty was France's only shot in the first half of the #WorldCupFinal against Croatia.

They lead 2-1. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/arcfxcHu1y
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 15, 2018

1974 - This is the first World Cup final to see as many as three goals before half-time since 1974 (West Germany 2-1 Netherlands). Busy.#WorldCupFinal #WorldCup #FRA #CRO
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2018