2018 FIFA World Cup: 3 major takeaways from the Final

The 2018 FIFA World Cup final played at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow was a thriller encounter between two best teams at the World Cup so far. It was an enthralling match which kept the spectators at the edge of their seats and proved to be a fitting climax for a World Cup full of surprises.

Croatia dominated possession in the entire game, won the midfield battle against France but were unable to penetrate the strong French defense consisting of Umtiti and Varane effectively. Rakitic, Modric, and Perisic looked threatening and their pace, dribbling skills and passing abilities kept this match alive for Croatia.

France, on the other hand, defended well and played counter-attacking football by using Giroud to shield the ball from the Croatian defense and Mbappe and Griezmann to run behind them.

France came out strong in the second-half and were determined to seal the 2nd World Cup victory after 1998. In spite of not keeping as much of the ball as Croatia, extremely pinpoint accurate finishing of Pogba and Mbappe gave France a comfortable lead of 4-1.

A goal-keeping howler from Hugo Lloris in the 69th minute allowed Mandzukic to score and give some hope and encouragement for Croatia to achieve the impossible of beating France in those circumstances. In the end, the task of overcoming France proved to be too much for Croatia and hence were beaten 4-2 in the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Croatia should be proud of their performance which has earned them respect from all over the World. Having won the silver medal, Luka Modric was also awarded the prestigious Golden Ball award.

France, on the other hand, should celebrate this monumental victory. Let us look at the 3 major takeaways from the final:

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#3 VAR played its part in the first half

Penalty awarded for France for handball

The final between Croatia and France started at a high tempo. Croatia dominated the opening proceedings of the game, were adventurous in attack and kept possession efficiently. France, on the other hand, defended deep and looked to counter-attack with the tormenting pace of Mbappe and Griezmann. France opened the scoring in the 18th minute when a wonderful free-kick from Griezmann was headed into his own net by Mandzukic.

Croatia equalized in the 28th minute with a superb left-foot shot by Perisic from a corner. With the game heading for a draw in the first-half, a French corner hit the hand of Perisic, which at first wasn't given by the referee. He checked the VAR and came to the conclusion that Perisic had handled the ball deliberately and hence the referee overturned his decision and awarded a penalty to France.

Griezmann hit the penalty with perfection and gave a 2-1 lead to France at half-time.

#2 Deschamps winning the World Cup as both player and manager

Didier Deschamps

Deschamps is the third person to win the World Cup as a player and manager after Beckenbauer and Zagallo.

Having led from the front the Golden generation of France as it's captain, he has successfully led the talented young team of France to victory at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

His tactical substitutes have been crucial in controlling the game for France in the dying minutes of each game of this World Cup. He has also brilliantly brought out the best of Mbappe and hence demonstrated to the World the talent this young French winger possesses.

Deschamps will profoundly remember this World Cup victory as he has guided a young and talented French side to glory.

#1 French players scored clinically

Champions!

France were the dominant team in the second-half despite not dominating possession. Having got an upper hand in the first due to the own goal from Mandzukic and Griezmann's excellent penalty, France were looking more threatening in the second-half and were also using Mbappe's pace on the right wing wisely.

Paul Pogba who was making daunting runs at the Croatian defense was the most effective player for France. He was rewarded in the 59th minute when his shot from his right foot rebounded back to him after hitting Modric which he then hit with his weaker left foot into the bottom left corner of the Croatian net to make the score 3-1 for France.

In the 65th minute, Hernandez's long ball from the left side of the defense found Mbappe in the middle of the pitch who controlled the ball beautifully, took on the Croatian defense, and hit a low strike from 25 yards leaving no chance for Subasic to save it to make the score 4-1 for France.

Hence, the French's shooting prowess was one of the key reasons for France's triumph in the final.