France overpower Croatia 4-2 in FIFA World Cup final

IANS  |  Moscow 

scored twice in each half as they thumped a combative 4-2 in a dramatic final to win the for the second time in 20 years here on Sunday.

A first-ever own goal in a final gave the lead as headed a free-kick into his own net in the 18th minute but pulled level through a strike from in the 28th minute.

converted a penalty in the 38th minute to regain France's lead which was further increased to 3-1 by in the 59th minute.

Kylian Mbappe (65th) made it 4-1 before Mandzukic pounced on a blunder from to reduce the difference to two in the 69th minute, giving some hope to But the third goal from Croatia never arrived as the talented French side sealed a deserving triumph.

--IANS

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First Published: Sun, July 15 2018. 22:32 IST