In pictures: Celebrations as France win second World Cup after Moscow thriller

France see off a dogged Croatia side who refused to lie down in one of the most electrifying finals in recent years.
AP | AFP Published July 16, 2018

France erupted in joy on Sunday as the country clinched the World Cup, with fans streaming into the streets, honking car horns and flying the tricolore flag at the start of an enormous national celebration.

The breathless 4-2 victory against Croatia under stormy skies at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium means Didier Deschamps' side — balancing youthful vitality and tournament nous — have buried the pain of their defeat in the Euro 2016 final on home soil.

For Croatia, a country of just four million people, the loss spells bitter pain but fans at home will celebrate the best run in the nation's history, which featured a stunning win against Argentina and a semi-final victory against England.

French players celebrate at the end of the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 football World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday. — AP
French players celebrate at the end of the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 football World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday. — AP

France's Olivier Giroud, left, and France's Corentin Tolisso, centre, celebrate after winning 4-2 in the final match between France and Croatia. — AP
France's Olivier Giroud, left, and France's Corentin Tolisso, centre, celebrate after winning 4-2 in the final match between France and Croatia. — AP

Croatia's Domagoj Vida sits on the pitch at the end of the final match between France and Croatia. — AP
Croatia's Domagoj Vida sits on the pitch at the end of the final match between France and Croatia. — AP

People gather on the fan zone in front of the Eiffel Tower to watch the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match between France and Croatia, on the Champ de Mars in Paris. — AFP
People gather on the fan zone in front of the Eiffel Tower to watch the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match between France and Croatia, on the Champ de Mars in Paris. — AFP

French players throw France head coach Didier Deschamps into the air celebrating at the end of the final match between France and Croatia. — AP
French players throw France head coach Didier Deschamps into the air celebrating at the end of the final match between France and Croatia. — AP

France's Adil Rami celebrates with the trophy after the final match between France and Croatia. — AP
France's Adil Rami celebrates with the trophy after the final match between France and Croatia. — AP

Croatian players after the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. — AP
Croatian players after the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. — AP

US singer Will Smith (C), Kosovo's singer Era Istrefi (L) and US rapper Nick Rivera Caminero aka Nicky Jam (R) perform during the closing ceremony prior to the Russia 2018 World Cup final match. — AFP
US singer Will Smith (C), Kosovo's singer Era Istrefi (L) and US rapper Nick Rivera Caminero aka Nicky Jam (R) perform during the closing ceremony prior to the Russia 2018 World Cup final match. — AFP

Germany's former captain Philipp Lahm (R) and Russian model Natalia Vodianova pose with the World Cup trophy during the closing ceremony of the Russia 2018 World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. — AFP
Germany's former captain Philipp Lahm (R) and Russian model Natalia Vodianova pose with the World Cup trophy during the closing ceremony of the Russia 2018 World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. — AFP

US singer Will Smith, Kosovo's singer Era Istrefi and US rapper Nick Rivera Caminero aka Nicky Jam perform during the closing ceremony. — AFP
US singer Will Smith, Kosovo's singer Era Istrefi and US rapper Nick Rivera Caminero aka Nicky Jam perform during the closing ceremony. — AFP

(L to R) Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, IOC President Thomas Bach, French First lady Brigitte Macron, French President Emmanuel Macron, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and her husband Jakov Grabar-Kitarovic attend the Russia 2018 World Cup final. — AFP
(L to R) Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, IOC President Thomas Bach, French First lady Brigitte Macron, French President Emmanuel Macron, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and her husband Jakov Grabar-Kitarovic attend the Russia 2018 World Cup final. — AFP

Former Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho performs during the closing ceremony. — AFP
Former Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho performs during the closing ceremony. — AFP

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic embraces France's Kylian Mbappe after he received the player of the tournament award. — AP
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic embraces France's Kylian Mbappe after he received the player of the tournament award. — AP

France's Presnel Kimpembe and Lucas Hernandez celebrate after the final match between France and Croatia. — AP
France's Presnel Kimpembe and Lucas Hernandez celebrate after the final match between France and Croatia. — AP

Supporters of the French football team celebrate after France won the World Cup final between France and Croatia on the Champ de Mars in Paris. — AP
Supporters of the French football team celebrate after France won the World Cup final between France and Croatia on the Champ de Mars in Paris. — AP

(From L) Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photograph during a symbolic transfer of the authority to Qatar to host the World Cup 2022 at the Kremlin in Moscow. — AFP
(From L) Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photograph during a symbolic transfer of the authority to Qatar to host the World Cup 2022 at the Kremlin in Moscow. — AFP

In this picture taken from the terrace of the Publicis Group, people take to the streets around the Arc de Triomphe to celebrate France's World Cup victory over Croatia, in Paris. — AP
In this picture taken from the terrace of the Publicis Group, people take to the streets around the Arc de Triomphe to celebrate France's World Cup victory over Croatia, in Paris. — AP

France's Olivier Giroud lifts the trophy after France won 4-2 during the final match between France and Croatia. — AP
France's Olivier Giroud lifts the trophy after France won 4-2 during the final match between France and Croatia. — AP

Header photo credit: AFP

Comments (19) Closed
khan
Jul 16, 2018 02:08am
Congratulation French Nation for winning World Cup 2nd time.
Recommend 0
ABE
Jul 16, 2018 02:28am
Viva la France!
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Surinder Gill
Jul 16, 2018 02:53am
Cograts to France. But all sport lovers enjoyed it.
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Dr Mohsin Kazmi
Jul 16, 2018 03:16am
Football and emotions
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Balochvoice
Jul 16, 2018 03:25am
Great final but extremely poor officials and use of VR Tech made this match highly controversial 2 great teams Croatia vs France but football is the loser so as fifa.
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Zulfi
Jul 16, 2018 03:49am
France are deserving champions because they don't just rely on set pieces (corner, penalty, free-kick etc) unlike England and some other teams. They also created chances from open play. Croatia appeared to be under pressure throughout and I suppose own goal and then that penalty (hard to say even after watching the replay many times if it was deliberate handball) really set them back plus their goal-keeper made a number of mistakes. When France beat Argentina 4-3 in the round of 16, they showcased their impressive scoring prowess which was evident again today in the final. France thus deserve to be world champions.
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George
Jul 16, 2018 03:54am
The real heroes are French guests from Africa!
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latif zafar
Jul 16, 2018 05:00am
A convincing victory for France in the world cup final but Croatia with only a population of 4 millions have won the hearts of the people and deserve all praise for display of their fighting spirit to make their way into the world cup final
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Amer Rao
Jul 16, 2018 05:46am
Félicitation ( Congratulations ) from all of us.
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Mazhar
Jul 16, 2018 06:15am
Congrats France but Croatia played very well and today they deserve appreciation beacuse they were fight till end of time..Croatia good luck for the next time..
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Jul 16, 2018 07:00am
Winning two soccer world cups over a period of 20 years is no mean achievement by France. Therefore, they deserve to celebrate their amazing success.
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Abdul Rauf
Jul 16, 2018 08:16am
What a final, thanks to Croatia and congrats to France!
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Ot-teri
Jul 16, 2018 09:24am
It's the Referee who lost Croatia the final. He missed Griezman's "dive" to win the free kick and decided badly on the handball. Worst refereeing I've ever seen in such a big match.
Recommend 0
Manas
Jul 16, 2018 09:34am
luv the pics !!
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Bari Abro
Jul 16, 2018 10:29am
Congrats to Croatia who fought like tiger and still survived like lion,
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Neo
Jul 16, 2018 11:40am
Heartbreaking final. Two poor decisions from referee cost them the game.
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Dr.Cajetan Coelho
Jul 16, 2018 04:03pm
Congratulations to the winners, the runners-up, and all the participating teams in Russia.
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Sampath
Jul 16, 2018 06:38pm
As always, Dawns pictures are superb.
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Arnab Bardhan
Jul 17, 2018 12:58pm
Veni Vidi Vici the French Revolution at Russia. Thanks to Dawn for this beautiful image of World Cup winning moments.
Recommend 0

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