France beat Croatia 4-2 at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia Sunday to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup title. It's France's first title since 1998.
Despite being on the defensive early in the match, France scored the opening goal in the 18th minute. Croatia responded with a goal in the 28th minute, but France converted a penalty in the 38th minute as they finished a wild first half with the lead. France started to pull away with two goals early in the second half. Croatia responded with a goal of their own off an error from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but France hung on to earn the win.
Watch highlights and see a recap of live updates from the match below:
Here is a look at the key moments from the game:
Final: France 4, Croatia 2.
69th minute. Goal. Croatia. Mario Mandzukic takes advantage of a poor touch from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and scores. It's a terrible moment from Lloris and it gives Croatia life in the second half. France 4, Croatia 2. WATCH MANDZUKIC TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LLORIS' BIG ERROR.
65th minute. Goal. France. Kylian Mbappe fires a shot from the top of the box around his defender and into the back of the net to put the game all but out of reach. After the two teams battled in the first half, France started to pull away in the second half. Mbappe is the first teenager to score in a FIFA World Cup final since Pele. France 4, Croatia 1. WATCH MBAPPE SCORE TO PUT FRANCE UP 4-1.
59th minute. Goal. France. France's Paul Pogba sees his initial shot from the top of the box blocked. He follows up and scores on a left-footed shot, catching Croatia's goalkeeper going the other way. France 3, Croatia 1. WATCH POGBA EXTEND FRANCE'S LEAD.
51st minute: Match is delayed momentarily as fans run out onto the field.
Halftime: France 2, Croatia 1.
38th minute: Goal. France. Antoine Griezmann scores on a penalty kick. France was awarded the penalty after Croatia's Ivan Perisic committed a hand ball in the box off a corner kick. The referee made the decision to award the penalty kick after a video review. Griezmann has not missed a penalty kick in this World Cup. France 2, Croatia 1. WATCH GRIEZMANN SCORE ON A PENALTY TO GIVE FRANCE BACK THE LEAD.
28th minute. Goal. Croatia. Croatia sends a free kick to the far side of the box. The ball is headed back toward the penalty spot where Domagoj Vida manages to tap it out to Ivan Perisic. Perisic takes a touch to get around his defender and then fires a left-footed shot into the net. Croatia 1, France 1. WATCH PERISIC SCORE THE EQUALIZER.
18th minute: Goal. France. Antoine Griezmann whips in a free kick that Croatia's Mario Mandzukic accidentally flicks into the net on a header. France 1, Croatia 0. WATCH MANDZUKIC SCORE ON AN OWN GOAL TO GIVE FRANCE AN EARLY LEAD.
Pregame information:
France eked out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Belgium in the semifinals to earn a spot in the final, while Croatia ousted England 2-1 in extra time in the semifinals to advance to the final. Croatia has never won a World Cup and would be the smallest country ever to take home the trophy if they beat France. France won its lone World Cup title in 1998.
If you are looking to watch France take on Croatia, here's what you need to know:
What: France will play Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final.
When: Sunday, July 15 at 8 a.m. Pacific Time.
Where: Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.
TV Channel: Fox (In Portland: Comcast 12/712); In Spanish on Telemundo (In Portland: Comcast 26/1179).
Online: Stream live on Fox Sports Go.
Live updates:
A Twitter List by Jamiebgoldberg
-- Jamie Goldberg | [email protected]
503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg
Click here to view original web page at www.oregonlive.com
