Sunday was the day all football fans around the world had been keeping free for months. The day of the big final of the World Cup, still the most anticipated football match there is. This year, the honor was for France and the people's favorites Croatia. Could the Croatian team pull off one last stunt and keep France from winning their second World Cup for at least 4 more years?
Croatia had played a marathon World Cup so far: they needed extra time in three matches to reach this final. Still, it were they who went full on right from the start. France chose the patient approach that had- besides all the criticism- been successful for them. Croatia was dangerous in the first 15 minutes, but it did not lead to any clear chances. It were the France however who dealt the first blow: a free kick from Griezmann reached the head of the unlucky Mandzukic who beat his own goalkeeper. The hero against England became the anti-hero now. The Croatians refused to stay down and tried to fight themselves back in the game. Around the 30th minute, they got what they deserved: a free kick from Modric fell invitingly for Perisic. The star of the night against England touched the ball past Kante and finished off perfectly. But the luck was not with the Croatians and Perisic: just a few minutes later, he touched the ball with his hand in his own box. The VAR called referee Pitana to take a look. After a long decision, a penalty was given. From hero to zero in just a few minutes: life can be very hard sometimes. A controversial decision that changed the course of the match, because Griezmann accepted the gift. 4 goals for the French super striker on this World Cup, but not one that will blow your mind. But more importantly: 2 goals for France without creating a single opportunity. A massive uppercut for Croatia right before the break.
Could the Croatian team, the comeback specialists of this World Cup, fight back one last time? That question was on veryone's mind for the second half. You can't blame them for not trying enough, that's for sure. Rebic tested Lloris after just a few minutes. The advantage gave France the opportunity to strike on the counter attack. Mbappé got a big chance to wrap it up for France, but found Subasic on his way. Apparently a sign for some fans to enter the pitch. For what reason, we will never know because it is forbidden for the camera's to film them. The missed chance from Mbappé was just a short delay. Another French counter attack ended by Pogba through Mbappé and Griezmann, and the Manchester United midfielder silenced the ever during criticism on his personal for a while by scoring in a World Cup final. If that wasn't enough to knock out Croatia, Mbappé made sure of that just a few minutes later. I have often been hard on the French team, but what a World Cup this lad has played. 19 years old but pure world class. But for both Mbappé's and Pogba's goal, goalkeeper Subasic- who played a big part in Croatia's success- didn't look to convincing. The 4-1 scoreline was harsh and exaggerated for Croatia, but it was clear that they were too exhausted after the semi final against England. Lloris wanted to make the final exciting again when we went full Karius and kicked the ball against Mandzukic. A very clumsy goal that cost Lloris the award of best goalkeeper, which was given to our Courtois. The goal gave Croatia some renewed hope and they gave everything they had left, but it was too little too late. France can lift their second World Cup, exactly 20 years after they won their first one on home soil. They will not go down in history as the most spectacular World Cup winners ever, but they were the most clever and the most efficient when needed. Croatia have charmed the world and achieved something remarkable for a country with just 4 million inhabitants. Both teams have been received in their countries as heroes, and rightfully so.
With the World Cup over, it is also my time to find a life again and end this blog. Luckily, the European competitions will start soon. For those who actually managed to sit through my nonsense until this post, you have my gratitude for every minute you took the time to read my posts. Maybe I will go full crazy again the next World Cup or European Championships, and if so I hope you will all be there again!