Possession: Croatia =
66% France = 34%
Shots: Croatia =
14 (!) France = 7
Shots On Target: Croatia = 4 France =
6(!)
For me it was that ratio of shots/shots on target that told the story. France were just more clinical and accurate around the box.
My take on the penalty VAR usage was that just behind the Croatian defender that handled the ball on to his knee/leg and behind the goal was a waiting French striker (Giroud iirc) that the trajectory of the ball could have landed near. So a potential clear shot on goal was blocked (accidentally or not) by the hand ball.
Unlucky for Croatia, but they made that up with Hugo Lloris's comical 'gift' goal to make it 4-2 with 25 mins to go.
I think the Croatian team (like many) just found the French defence hard to break down, but this was about a bad a defence shift from that French defence as i have seen in the later stages of the competition, so with a few more of those shots on target from Croatia and it could have gone all the way.
Well done France, and somewhere i like to think of one Zidane feeling the good vibes, and how this 'motley crew' of a team can stick Le Penn one
