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World Cup 2018 in pictures: The most stunning images from a thrilling tournament in Russia

AP
AP

France brought the curtain down on a thrilling World Cup with victory over Croatia in a final which matched the drama of the tournament as a whole.

Goals from Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe followed an own goal from Mario Mandzukic as Les Bleus sealed a comprehensive 4-2 victory.

Ivan Perisic and Mandzukic were on target at the other end as the 64th game of the tournament proved one too far for Croatia, a nation of just four million, who already outstripped expectations in reaching the last two.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar and a host of German talent left the party early, but the youthful France team, and others, showed enough in Russia to suggest there are characters who can step into those giants' shoes.

Gareth Southgate's young England team also pointed to a brighter future. The country had been seeking to reach the final for the first time since their home triumph in 1966, but fell to the Croatians in the semi-finals.

Above, Standard Sport's digital picture editor Gareth Richman has picked out the best images from Russia 2018