France, Croatia put on a show in wild 1st half of World Cup final
The World Cup final between France and Croatia is living up to expectations.
France grabbed the lead early in the encounter courtesy of an own goal by Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic off Antoine Griezmann's set piece.
The first goal of the final being an own goal off a set piece is the perfect summation of the 2018 World Cup.
— Brooks Peck (@BrooksDT) July 15, 2018
That "own goal in the World Cup Final" face
— Sports = Life (@SportzzTweetzz) July 15, 2018
#WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/1TW75vaKiQ
The lead was short-lived, as Ivan Perisic sent Croatia supporters into a frenzy when his blistering shot zipped past Hugo Lloris.
Perisic the Croatian Perseus slays flat-footed France🚀🚀🚀
— jamie jackson (@JamieJackson___) July 15, 2018
Only second time in 32 years both teams have scored in a #WorldCup final.
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) July 15, 2018
Less than 10 minutes before half-time, Video Assistant Referee made its first appearance in a World Cup final. France was awarded a penalty after the match official, Nestor Pitana, missed a handball in the Croatia box.
Noooooooo!!!! Can’t give that. Jeez VAR.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 15, 2018
Massive peal of thunder just now. Nestor Pitana has displeased the gods.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) July 15, 2018
I think I've said this 100 times to increasingly bored friends during this World Cup, but watching football in slow-motion distorts everything. VAR has altered the rules on handballs without the wording being changed.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) July 15, 2018
Looked bad in slow motion. Ref has a guess in the middle of a game where he's running around. VAR can be good for obvious stuff. That was bollocks.
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) July 15, 2018
Griezmann stepped up to calmly convert and give France a 2-1 lead at the break.
Antoine Griezmann's penalty was France's only shot in the first half of the #WorldCupFinal against Croatia.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 15, 2018
They lead 2-1. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/arcfxcHu1y
1974 - This is the first World Cup final to see as many as three goals before half-time since 1974 (West Germany 2-1 Netherlands). Busy.#WorldCupFinal #WorldCup #FRA #CRO
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2018
Trying to catch your breath at halftime of the #WorldCupFinal like: pic.twitter.com/kYJqHFwWcV
— COPA90 US (@COPA90US) July 15, 2018