MOSCOW – FIFA World Cup Final 2018 has become the highest scoring finalever played in the history of football. France has clinched its secondWorld Cup title with a 4-2 win over Croatia in a dramatic final in Moscowfeaturing a series of firsts and a pitch invasion orchestrated by Russianprotest group Pussy Riot.
France led 2-1 at halftime courtesy of the first own-goal and the firstvideo-reviewed penalty in a World Cup final. The own-goal off the top ofMario Mandzukic’s head was the 12th of the tournament. That’s double theprevious World Cup record of six.
Croatia rallied to equalize on a terrific left-foot strike by Ivan Perisic,but France took the lead right back when Perisic handled the ball in thearea. Argentine referee Nestor Pitana initially didn’t call the handballbut awarded the spot kick after a video review. Antoine Griezmann convertedthe penalty to put France back in front.
Croatia was playing in its first World Cup final. For France, it was afirst World Cup crown since winning on home soil in 1998.