France won the World Cup for the second time in spectacular style on Sunday as a 4-2 victory over Croatia in one of the most entertaining and action-packed finals for decades ended the battling outsiders’ dreams of a first title.
Ivan Perisic and Mandzukic replied for Croatia, who ended beaten but unbowed after making much of the running in their first appearance in the final.
It was the highest-scoring decider since England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra-time in 1966 and the most goals in normal time since Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 60 years ago.
There were as many goals in 90 action-packed Moscow minutes as in the last four finals combined, and three of those went to extra time.
The diversion included the principal last possess objective and the main VAR-chose spot-kick — one Croatia were incensed about and which was seemingly the defining moment of the amusement.
In any case, the main measurement France truly think about is that the outcome makes them title holders for the second time following their triumph on home soil in 1998.
Having lost the 2006 last on punishments to Italy, it additionally implied there was no rehash of two years prior when they were beaten in the European Championship last by Portugal in Paris.
Didier Deschamps, skipper of the 1998 France side, turned into the third man to lift the World Cup as player and mentor after Brazil's Mario Zagallo and Germany's Franz Beckenbauer.
"This isn't about me, it's about everybody around me and the players," Deschamps said having been conveyed bear high by them amid a post-coordinate deluge.
"It's a youthful group who are on the highest point of the world. Some are champions at 19 years old, however my most prominent wellspring of pride is they had the correct perspective.