France 4-2 Croatia PLAYER RATINGS: Pogba proves his critics wrong in the biggest game of his career

France won their second World Cup after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.

Les Blues took the lead through an unfortunate own goal from Mario Mandzukic before Ivan Perisic levelled the scores midway through the first half.

Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe all found the net to seal the victory before Mandzukic bagged a consolation for the Blazers. 

Sportsmail’s SPENCER MORGAN passes judgement on players from both sides at the Luzhniki Stadium. 

France beat Croatia in the final of the World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday afternoon

France (4-2-3-1)

Hugo Lloris – 6

Awful mistake to allow Mandzukic to pull one back. Lucky his team-mates had already sealed the result.

Benjamin Pavard – 8

Great showing from the 22-year-old. Started a little slowly but grew into the game. 

Raphael Varane – 8

A rock at the back. Put everything on the line for his team. 

Samuel Umtiti – 7.5

Impressive display at the back and effective when going forward. 

Lucas Hernandez – 7

Kylian Mbappe – 8.5

Looked dangerous from the first minute. Capped a great tournament with a fine strike from outside the box. 

Paul Pogba – 8.5

Continues to prove his critics wrong with his national side. Capped an immense display with the biggest goal of his career to put the French in firm control.

Paul Pogba celebrates after scoring his side's third goal of the game in the second half

Paul Pogba celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal of the game in the second half

N’Golo Kante – 6.5

Not his best outing in a congested midfield. Booked and substituted early on in the second half.

Blaise Matuidi – 8

Another important performance in midfield. Never stopped running and working for his team-mates.

Antoine Griezmann – 8

Lively throughout. Great ball in to lead to the opener. Incredibly cool penalty under huge pressure.

Olivier Giroud – 7.5

Another good shift from the Chelsea striker. Little in terms of a goal threat but plenty of effective hold up play. 

Croatia (4-2-3-1)

Danijel Subasic – 6.5

Couldn’t have done much about any of the four goals. Composed for the most part.

Sime Vrsaljko – 6

Dejan Lovren – 6

Struggled to deal with the movement of France’s forwards. Labelled himself ‘one of the best defenders in the world’. Not on this performance.

Domagoj Vida – 7 

His side’s best defender. Showed great pace and desire at times to deal with the likes of Griezmann and Mbappe.

Ivan Strinic – 6.5

Ante Rebic – 6

Ivan Rakitic – 7

A big part of Croatia’s bright start. Drifted out of the game as it went on.

Marcelo Brozovic – 6.5

Ivan Perisic – 8

His team’s most dangerous attacking threat. Brilliant strike to draw them level before an unfortunate handball to give away the penalty.

Luka Modric – 7

Not quite as influential as he has been throughout the tournament. Some moments of quality but looked to be feeling the effects of his side’s consecutive extra-time wins.

Mario Mandzukic – 7.5

Unfortunate to score the first own goal in a World Cup final. Never stopped working and made up for it with an opportunistic strike of his own.



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