Key moments from France’s electrifying World Cup final win

CNN  — 

Growing up, most kids dream of scoring for their country in a World Cup final. Mario Mandzukic did just that, except he also scored an own goal.

Mandzukic’s gaffe set France on the path to a 4-2 win over Croatia in Sunday’s showpiece.

With the match not even 20 minutes old, Antoine Griezmann stood menacingly over a free-kick 35 yards from goal.

He delivered a delicious, teasing cross into the box and Mandzukic leaped highest in the crowded area to meet it first.

Unfortunately for him, the Juventus striker could only flick the ball towards his own goal and into the top corner past the flailing arm of Danijel Subasic.

In doing so Mandzukic became the first man in history to score an own goal in a World Cup final.

Mandzukic later netted Croatia’s second goal – to make the score 4-2 – and created another moment of history to become the first player to score both a goal and an own goal in a World Cup final.

Dutchman Ernie Brandts is the only other player to have done this in a World Cup tournament, netting at both ends against Italy in 1978.

Remember that one for your next football quiz.

READ: France crowned world champion after 4-2 win over Croatia

READ: Belgium records best World Cup finish with victory over England

Mario Mandzukic's own goal opened the scoring.

VARcical?

After stealing the limelight for much of the group stage, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has been relatively quiet during the knockout phase in Russia.

But VAR wasn’t going to slink out of this World Cup without a bang and it returned to have one last – and crucial – say in the final.

Ivan Perisic’s stunning strike had just canceled out that Mandzukic own goal, but the ball then hit the Inter Milan star’s hand after corner.