France 4-2 Croatia: 5 Talking Points - Les Bleus Crowned Champions, World Cup 2018

#2 Mandzukic's error swiftly corrected by Perisic at the other end

Ivan Perisic equalises for Croatia in the 28th minute

Although it was Croatia who started on the front foot, it was France that got the early breakthrough - thanks to a stroke of luck.

A foul won by Antoine Griezmann after he was brought down by Marcelo Brozovic saw France win a set-piece 28 yards from goal (I say "foul won" but, in truth, Griezmann was already on his way down before Brozovic made contact).

France had already scored through set-pieces against Uruguay and Belgium, and this time Griezmann floated in a cross that was headed home by Mandzukic who had little idea of what he was doing as he made contact with the ball.

1 - Mario Mandzukic is the first ever player to score an own goal in a World Cup final. Misfortune.#WorldCupFinal #WorldCup #FRA #CRO pic.twitter.com/rAAi0WJalq

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2018

However, Croatia were quick to respond to going 1-0 down with a set-piece of their own. Modric floated in a superb ball to Vrsaljko on the right who headed it back into the box. France did not touch the ball in a sequence of small passes.

It finally fell kindly to Ivan Perisic who was on hand to fire a fierce left-footed volley past the outstretched hand of Hugo Lloris to make it 1-1.