France won the World Cup final with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Moscow on Sunday after another controversial intervention from the VAR system, a pitch invasion by Russian protest group Pussy Riot and a mistake from Hugo Lloris.
Following a closing ceremony featuring live music from Will Smith, an own goal set them on their way when Mario Mandžukić headed into his own net from an Antoine Griezmann free kick.
Ivan Perišić equalised ten minutes later before a debatable penalty decision, given with the help of the video assistant referee, enabled Griezmann to restore a first-half lead for Didier Deschamps’s side.
Strikes from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé put the French in control after the break, though Mandžukić was able to capitalise on Lloris’s inattentiveness to score what proved to be just a consolation goal.
Relive the match with this selection of the best jokes from the World Cup final after France 4-2 Croatia, bringing an end to Russia 2018:
Always wanted to see Will Smith live… pic.twitter.com/A7zw9GBZcV
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/The_Tuitero/status/1018505972325724161
One of the greatest performance by a Brazilian in the #WorldCupFinal since 2002! pic.twitter.com/L7KSj0SOnk
— Lord Bendtner (@LordBendtner) July 15, 2018
Neymar, Ronaldo and Messi watching the final from the stands. #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/p4WLDFzPwv
— henry martinez (@djsolerebel) July 15, 2018
This is the best #WorldCupFinal I’ve seen in 4 years.
— Simon (@smnbro) July 15, 2018
Golden Boot update:
Own Goal (12)
Harry Kane (6) #WorldCupFinal— Charlie Flowe (@DjFlowe) July 15, 2018
First Rule of FIFA is… Do Not
Touch The Ball With Your Hand.Second Rule of FIFA is… Do Not Touch The Ball With Your Hand.
Third Rule of FIFA is… If You Fall Down… Act Like You’re Dying.
— Tim Dillard (@DimTillard) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/AmanTsays/status/1018522342874632192
https://twitter.com/JabuKhuluse/status/1018544650976743424
https://twitter.com/Mhmoud_Mrt/status/1018520975300792323
Next Fortnite celebration should be a straight red…#FRACRO #WorldCup #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/wJMfNXpwjd
— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) July 15, 2018
When you miss out on the presidential group hug… #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/yxlBUQa5iC
— CNN Sport (@cnnsport) July 15, 2018
#WorldCupFinal Conor macgregor out here wondering who's this better than him in boxing pic.twitter.com/Jxd2g1T7Ek
— Loya (@stillkimono) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/ramalokot/status/1018546580947918850
Pussy Riot leave the referee hanging after high-fiving Mbappé #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/cwhDFdyvoe
— Football Burp ⚽ (@FootballBurp) July 15, 2018
It didn't take Willy Caballero long to find a new job after his World Cup horror show…#WorldCupFinal #FRACRO https://t.co/VBf1YPaHFQ pic.twitter.com/uJ2yJXZDVi
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/_SquirrelNutkin/status/1018528512574181376
Pogba scored a goal after being mocked #FRACRO #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/tktCU27pA5
— Faizal Rosly (@ijaicool) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/Enes_Kanter/status/1018532089019359234
Mbappe is 19 scoring goals in the #WorldCupfinal. What is Kylie Jenner doing with her life?
— Antwon Leouwigi Gelato (@AntwonGelato) July 15, 2018
Mbappe at 19 vs Me at 19. pic.twitter.com/spBcTs91Bj
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) July 15, 2018
Liverpool FC statement says doctors have confirmed that Dejan Lovren had concussion whilst he was announcing himself as one of the best defenders in the world pic.twitter.com/nazpAUO82b
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) July 15, 2018
At this point Croatia might as well do a France and surrender #WorldCupFinal
— Dr Grandayy (@grandayy) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/ngawangtwts/status/1018532918422134784
France just making sure that the world doesn't feel they won it by a dubious VAR penalty. Lloris even gave them a goal. #WorldCupFinal
— Ali Anjum (@alianjum_) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/nailheadparty/status/1018533345586630658
This #WorldCupFinal has had tragedy, injustice and comedy. It’s not a match, it’s a novel.
— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) July 15, 2018
Pele. Mbappe. A Tale of Two Teenagers #WorldCupFinal
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/stevetrendall/status/1018543028775129089
Somehow I can hear Elton John singing “Circle of life”. #FRACRO pic.twitter.com/v1w4BVBAJU
— Igor Levit (@igorpianist) July 15, 2018
If Eurostar don’t have adverts like
“it’s not coming home, but you can visit it in Paris from £79 with Eurostar”
Then they need to sack their whole marketing team #WorldCupFinal
— Kae Kurd (@KaeKurd) July 15, 2018
Germany 2014 > France 2018 > … It's getting closer isn't it?
IT'S COMING HOME LADS #WorldCupFinal— LewisJ815 ⚫️⚖️⚪️ (@LewisJ815) July 15, 2018
Oooooohhh! Football was just 35 kilometres from Coming Home. Maybe we should check VAR#WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/0lmvN3HcgA
— AS English (@English_AS) July 15, 2018
I'm just glad someone finally caught the Snitch. #WorldCupFinal
— Professor Snape (@_Snape_) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/Amara_molokwane/status/1018540774164783104
https://twitter.com/parrillabby/status/1018539262495502337
So now we know which team won't advance to the knock-out phase in 2022 #WorldCupFinal
— hiba (@iatemuggles) July 15, 2018
Giroud crying tears of joy #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/fKnesxO5oT
— Football Burp ⚽ (@FootballBurp) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/portmagicpages/status/1018549066773516290
Okay, okay. Who forgot to order the tent? #FRACROA pic.twitter.com/bZGCUJBxcd
— Elliott Gotkine (@ElliottGotkine) July 15, 2018
Kiss me, stupid! #cro #WorldCup #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/QJ5xS3eJS2
— Emanuel Roşu (@Emishor) July 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/ClarkTawe/status/1018553119297490944
https://twitter.com/SoccerMemes/status/1018721915777830912
The only guy who is allowed to tell his children, "When I was your age… "#FRACRO #WorldCup #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/BzMAQ8GBek
— Victor Mochere (@VictorMochere) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/Eesahgambo/status/1018895561834057728
https://twitter.com/SOMEXlCAN/status/1018543934098685952
Someone wake me up in 4 years when this starts again….#WorldCupFinal
— Castro1021 (@Castro1021) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/TrollFootball/status/1018665920120705024