Opportunistic French Win World Cup over Relentless Croatians

Maybe now the comments will subside about how many tablecloths had to die to kit out the Vatreni.

Those dudes were a bitta everything in this World Cup, but most of all, they were running hot every time they took to the pitch.

Then there were Les Bleus, a side with so much available talent in a conservative system, they resembled a muscle car with glass packs anxious to emerge from a school zone speed limit.

Here both were in the final, where no matter what happened in it and how grand the scale was, neither side was gonna go quietly.

 

After a month and change crammed with 63 games, France broke through when the rubber met the road to post a 4-2 triumph over Croatia in Moscow's pulsing Luzhniki Stadium.

The Vatreni -- Blazers -- represent the smallest nation to make the World Cup final since Uruguay in 1950. However, they're second to no one in the swagger deparment. For example:

• Defender Domagoj Vida took particular joy in tweaking their hosts by making pro-Ukraine comments;remember, Croatia was part of a cobbled-together Yugoslavia nation that the Soviets propped up; and
• Fellow fullback Dejean Lovren had no qualms about declaring himself the globe's best defender.

 

Right from the kickoff, Croatia hit in your face mode. Dudes had more the ball possession and more shots on target, while the most diplomatic assessment of France was they were awaiting their moment.

However, the French needed a little bitta luck and got it from something that had never been done in a World Cup title game before.

In the 18th minute, Antoine Griezmann floated a free kick into the box where Mario Mandžukić -- in a desperate attempt to clear -- ended up heading the ball into his own net.

 

Per their demeanor, Croatia shook it off and redoubled their efforts, which struck paydirt ten minutes later.

 

Ivan Perisić blasted an outstanding finish that followed a slight deflection from Raphael Varane, with no chance for Hugo Lloris:

 

The Video Assistant Referee played a crucial role in the 35th that still has the Vatreni mumbling.

 

A corner from Blaise Matuidi boinked down from Perisić's hand. Initially, the referee wouldn't concede it, but following massive French complaints, he went to the VAR to ask for an extra-close look.

 

Penalty for France.

The Croatians claimed the incident wasn't clear and obvious as the rules state, but at some point, that's a subjective statement just like every other sport that uses replay.

Besides, it's not nice to piss off AI.

 

So, Griezmann stepped up to the sport sent Danijel Subašić the wrong way. 

 

After that, the French front found the inspiration they seemed to be hesitant to unleash.

 

Kyllian Mbappé began to find more space for counterattacks, and in the 59th minute, one of his moves gave him a lane to Griezmann, who found Paul Pogba:

 

Manchester United must've wondered where that's been all season. As a matter of fact, so did French manager and legend Didier Deschamps.

Until then, anyway.

Only six minutes later, Les Bleus wrapped up the game as with a sensational counterattack when the 19-year-old Mbappé, did what he did to only enhance his value:

 

Dude's now the second-youngest to score in a World Cup final.

The great Pelé will likely always hold that record, snapping twine on a soggy Stockholm pitch in the 1958 World Cup at the tender age of 17:

 

As if to confirm this match had damn near everything, Mandžukić gave Lloris a bitta the ol' Georgie Best in the 69th:

 

Pretty cool, but no one can beat the master.

That goes especially for Gordon Banks:

 

Croatia kept hunting until the final whistle, but it was not to be.

France gets a second star on its jersey.

This victory also put Deschamps in select company. Dude's only the third human ever to win the World Cup as a player and manager.

Nothing left to say but Santé.

 

Well, that and look for the feisty Vatreni, the loaded Belgians, and the ever-hopeful English at a Euro 2020 near you.