The football that Croatia had played to get to the final led to their demise as their tired legs couldn't pull them across the line. 

The Vatreni started like a house on fire but an own goal from Mario Mandzukic gave France an early lead.

Ivan Perisic equalised moments later but a VAR decision saw the tables turned on Perisic, as his hand ball earned France a spot kick, which Antoine Griezmann converted to send France into the break ahead.

Both sides came out swinging in the second half but Paul Pogba finished past Danijel Subasic before Kylian Mbappe powered home an extraordinary finish to seal the deal for France. 

Mandzukic got his name on the scoresheet in comical fashion, dispossessing Hugo Lloris in the box but it wasn't enough for Croatia as France won their second World Cup, 20 years after their first win in 1998. 

FRANCE 

Hugo Lloris - 5

The France skipper was called on early in the second half to deny Ante Rebic's strong effort inside the box. A howler from Lloris saw Mandzukic dispossess him as Croatia staged their comeback. He joins Zinedine Zidane as a Les Blues captain to lift the World Cup. 

Benjamin Pavard - 5.5

The young defender was caught napping at times in the first half as Perisic and Ivan Strinic found space in behind him. Some disastrous turnovers put France under pressure. 

Raphael Varane - 7

Varane was put through his paces with the immense pressure put on him by Croatia's front line. Croatia tested his pace as they found space out wide in behind France's full-backs. 

Samuel Umtiti - 7

Got the rub of the green from the referee as he brought the ball forward under pressure from Mandzukic. The tall striker was always going to be his biggest problem with balls into the box but Umtiti dealt with the danger well. 

Lucas Hernandez - 6

A brilliant solo run up the left flank saw him tear past Ivan Rakitic who tried to set up Griezmann. He in turn layed the ball off for Paul Pogba who finished for number three. 

Paul Pogba - 7.5

The Manchester United midfielder was under pressure in the first half as Croatia started on top but his composure on the ball was imperative to France gaining control of the match. A brilliant counter attack was started by his long pass to Mbappe and the favour was returned as his first shot was blocked but his second with the left boot flew past Subasic. 

Ngolo Kante - 6.5

Rakitic had his finger on Kante's pulse, forcing the French midfielder into turnovers but as the goals racked up for France he put his foot on their throats once again. He attempted to put the pressure on Perisic but it wasn't enough to stop the equaliser. 

Blaise Matuidi - 5.5

Had the unfortunate task of muscling off Lovren in the lead-up to Croatia's goal, which failed as Perisic volleyed home. 

Antoine Griezmann - 7

Griezmann swung the ball in after 18 minutes and Mandzukic got the deadly touch to put it into his own net. Griezmann then slotted away the penalty to put France ahead once again, after the VAR involvement, and was involved once more as he layed off for Pogba who scored the third for Les Blues. 

Kylian Mbappe - 6.5

Mbappe was finally able to stretch his legs in the second half as Paul Pogba released him down he right flank, allowing him to sprint past Vida and get a shot off that was blocked by Subasic. A brilliant long range strike finished the final for France at 4-1.

 

Olivier Giroud - 6

Didn't get a good sniff or time on the ball until the second half as France had their first shot on target in the 46th minute. 

Subs

Steven Nzonzi - 6

Brought in to solidify the midfield next to Kante as France gained control of the match. 

Clorentin Tolisso - 5

Fresh legs in midfield were important as Croatia threw the kitchen sink at the French. 

Nabil Fekir - N/A

CROATIA 

Danijel Subasic - 4

Some may say he was caught in no mans land for the first goal but he could do nothing about Griezmann's penalty. The second half saw him smother a shot from Mbappe as France threatened for a third goal but his effort for Mbappe's goal left much to be desired. 

Sime Vrasjlko - 5

Playing extremely high up the pitch, Vrasjlko put pedal to the medal as he has done this entire tournament, floating dangerous balls into Mandzukic. 

Dejan Lovren - 5

The Liverpool defender did his job in the box to help the ball onto Vida who set up Perisic for Croatia's opener. His lack of pace and weary legs showed with his efforts to chase Griezmann and Pogba. 

Damagoj Vida - 6

Vida pulled off some exceptional sliding tackles and prevented Croatia from getting split open by France's blistering pace. Used his body well to lay off and set up Perisic for the equaliser but as his legs gave way the space opened up. 

Ivan Strinic - 4.5

Strinic got forward with confidence early on as he found the by-line a number of times to pull the ball back. In defence, he was exploited with Mbappe being used as the outlet for the counter attack as Croatia tired. 

Ivan Rakitic - 6.5

A superb opening to the match as he threatened deep in France's half as well as whipping in some terrific crosses. As Croatia tired the pitch opened up and it took Rakitic's stronghold off the game. 

Luka Modric - 6.5

Hardly put a foot wrong in possession as he rallied his country onwards in the World Cup final. Modric did everything he could to control the tempo of the match but was stretched too far in the second half. 

Marcelo Brozovic - 5

A few tough challenges and fouls by Brozovic was all he could offer in the first half. His passing was hit and miss in the second stanza as Croatia fell further behind. 

Ivan Perisic - 6.5

Was breathing down Pavard's neck the entire match and his work was rewarded as he rifled home a left-footed pile driver into the bottom corner to equalise. How cruel football is, minutes later his hand ball in the box was pulled up by VAR and Griezmann put France ahead again. 

 

Ante Rebic - 5

An attempted volley was scuffed seconds after the kick-off from Griezmann's penalty. A good effort forced Lloris into his first save of the match as he was forced to tip his powerful shot over the bar. 

Mario Mandzukic - 6.5

He threw his body about effectively, especially when Croatia weren't in possession. An unlucky touch off the head at the free-kick sent Croatia 1-0 down after 18 minutes but his effort at the set-piece moments later helped earn the equaliser. Great persistence earned him a goal as he dispossessed Lloris in his six yard box. 

Subs

Andrej Kramaric - 5

Firepower was needed for Croatia but Kramaric's involvement came too late. 

Marco Pjaca - N/A

The same assumption goes for Pjaca, his impact may have been felt had he had more time to make it.