France is football's world champion once again.
After a breathless first half in Moscow on Sunday that saw Les Blues leading Croatia 2-1 at the break, the same scoreline was repeated in the second half to seal a 4-2 win for Didier Deschamps' side.
The World Cup's first six-goal final since 1966 was a fitting way to cap off an incredible tournament, and the second 45 minutes was packed full of goals, mistakes, and drama.
There hadn't been a goal from outside the penalty area in a World Cup final since 1982, but France scored two of them in the space of six minutes through Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe, with Danijel Subasic being caught flat-footed on each occasion.
A terrible blunder from Hugo Lloris gifted Mario Mandzukic a goal in the right net after his unfortunate own goal had opened the scoring in the first half, but there would be no Croatian comeback this time.
Unsurprisingly, football Twitter was blown away by the drama that unfolded on Sunday in Moscow in what was truly was a fitting end to a magical few weeks.
Clinical finishing by France but would help Craotia’s cause if Subasic made a decent attempt at stopping their goals - barely dived for the last two
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) July 15, 2018
Croatia don't deserve this score line but that's France - by far the most efficient team at the tournament
— Jonathan Northcroft (@JNorthcroft) July 15, 2018
The English media probably think Croatia are going to lose this game now. Quick, somebody tell Luka Modric.
— Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) July 15, 2018
4-2. Will everyone remember this France team as a freewheeling attacking machine (when it was for only 2 games)?
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) July 15, 2018
Watching what could be the final minutes of the #WorldCup like 😢😭 pic.twitter.com/vKi9tLbsje
— COPA90 US (@COPA90US) July 15, 2018
Hugely deserved for France. Best team in WC by a distance, especially from knockout stage when it matters most. Superb mix of control and dynamism to beat Argentina Uruguay Belgium and now Croatia. The most frightening part is how young they are. Chapeau
— Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) July 15, 2018
France are a terrific side with some brilliant players and that was a a great final but in so many ways, Croatia were the better team this evening.
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) July 15, 2018
This #WorldCup is the best one I’ve ever seen! Not much competition to be honest, but plenty of goals & great games & to top it off an entertaining final!! #FRACROA #WorldCup2018
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 15, 2018
What a dumb final
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) July 15, 2018
What a wonderful final. VAR controversy, set-piece goal, own goal, magnificent passes wonderful finishes and the sense of glorious chaos. World Cup 2018 distilled in 90 minutes.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) July 15, 2018
