France has beaten Croatia 4-2 to take home the World Cup for the second time in 20 years. The whole FIFA tournament has been a wild ride of highs and lows, all documented on social media, and the final game was certainly no exception. Here's how the world reacted to the historic match.
French President Emmanuel Macron embraces Kylian Mbappe at the award ceremony, with Russian president Vladimir Putin (left) and Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, President of Croatia (right) Photo: AFP
World leaders were under the spotlight while the game was underway. This photo of French president Emmanuel Macron celebrating Les Bleus' first goal was captured by Alexei Nikolsky of Russia's TASS news agency, and spread like wildfire.
Priceless picture of President @EmmanuelMacron after the first goal during the #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/C3OaM6bXmP
— Nazih Fares | نزيه فارس (@nazihfares) July 15, 2018
And the joyous interactions between Mr Macron and Croatia's president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović didn't go unnoticed either.
Absolutely ❤️ the Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and her gracious interaction with French President Macron and her entire national team... Very cool.@EmmanuelMacron @KolindaGK pic.twitter.com/JOMrdqIBVD
— The Wizard of Oz (@Jokintino) July 15, 2018
In fact, Ms Grabar-Kitarović was on the receiving end of a lot of love.
#WorldCupFinal#Croatia
— PicPublic (@PicPublic) July 15, 2018
In my opinion the world cup winner is this woman
Croatia's President
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic pic.twitter.com/fwBhsWUChW
And her likeness to a certain Parks and Recreation character also didn't go unseen.
the President of Croatia reminds me of Leslie Knope #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/5dnufSgA7F
— A; (@offofunofficial) July 15, 2018
Meanwhile, Mr Putin was captured being classically Putin.
Talk about Russian hospitality. #Putin under the only umbrella while Macron & Kitarović soaking. #Worldcup2018Russia pic.twitter.com/9R2hKJb4ik
— Tara Kangarlou (@tarakangarlou) July 15, 2018
The players were far too busy to notice the politics. But World Cup rising star Kylian Mbappé did get a little cuddle from an elated Mr Macron after receiving the best young player award.
Find yourself someone who loves you the way French President Emmanuel Macron loves Kylian Mbappé. pic.twitter.com/CJoZ6g7MHG
— theScore (@theScore) July 15, 2018
And the rest of the globe took a moment to think about what they were doing at 19 years old - i.e not winning World Cup finals.
Imagine being 19 , winning the world cup, an award AND scoring for your country #Mbappe
— Yusra (@yusrabhaila) July 15, 2018
@KMbappe becomes the 1st teenager to score in a world cup final since #pelé in 1958 @MikeOkinyi @citizentvkenya @MukamiWambora @BernardNdong #FeelTheBarn #WorldCupFinal #ConnectWithGreatness pic.twitter.com/JVvsZKB06F
— Jesse Ngunjiri (@JesseNgunjiri) July 15, 2018
Real life superhero #Mbappe.. agar gravity na ho to sidha rocket ke tarah upar jayga.. #FrancevsCroatia #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/0VDUJEW5va
— ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ (@ParloTweets) July 15, 2018
Teammate Paul Pogba drove the internet nuts with his victorious dabbing.
Paul Pogba dabbing with the World Cup, let’s see who’s talking about his dancing now! pic.twitter.com/52gwXTsFR3
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) July 15, 2018
Graeme Souness & Garth Crooks, take it in, believe your eyes. Paul Labile Pogba is dabbing with the World Cup trophy after bossing the tournament and scoring in the final. pic.twitter.com/lgYHoX0myt
— Man Utd Photos (@ManUtdLens) July 15, 2018
His whole family even got in on the act.
#Pogba, his two brothers and mum dabbing with the World Cup trophy. BEAUTY!. #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/TczOIjwVaa
— dEAR_sNEEZY (@Psalm_35) July 15, 2018
Though, not everyone's a fan of the dab.
LOOOOOOOL Griezmann doing the "Take the L" dance in a world cup final and Pogba dabbing with the world cup trophy. This sport really is dead pic.twitter.com/8O2I4lGYku
— Rudy (@CoutinhoV14) July 15, 2018
It wasn't just French players who were celebrated on social media; Croatia's Luka Modric stole the hearts of footy fans.
A Leader. A Warrior. A Legend ❤️
— FaIz (@9Fahiem) July 15, 2018
The Best Midfielder in the world ❤️@lukamodric10 pic.twitter.com/SxNnsu5WJz
True hero #FRACRO #WorldCupFinal #CRO pic.twitter.com/uDoA8XWGy9
— M3TA (@MetaGamer77) July 15, 2018
Luka Modric grew up in a war zone in which his grandfather was murdered.
— Luka Modric Fan (@eIenasalvator) July 15, 2018
His family became war refugees.
As a kid, Luka was rejected by Coaches because he was “too weak”
Today, Luka helped Croatia get to the finals and he won the GOLDEN BALL
Ballon d’or is next! #FRACROA pic.twitter.com/4YS0zkaESA
And he also got a hug from a world leader.
Todo el mundo con Luka Modrić despues del mundial#WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/UBgFgWPonv
— dany (@iwonderarepa) July 15, 2018
Some Twitter followers suggested that Croatia were the real winners on the day.
France got the cup, but Croatia got the world’s love and respect #WorldCupFinal #Croatia pic.twitter.com/DbuUHmYNxw
— mariam (@mariam_kilani) July 15, 2018
But the people on the streets of France seem happy with the cup.
CHAAAAMMMMPIONS pic.twitter.com/JqYmWyKxvf
— ⭐️⭐️ Sarah (@zquietone) July 15, 2018
