2018 FIFA World Cup Final
Three minutes later, Griezmann took a corner kick into the penalty area. Matuidi tried to score with a header, but it didn't work. The France players asked for a penalty, saying Perišić touched the ball with his hand while guarding Matuidi. The video assistant referee talked to the main referee and after watching the video for a few minutes, they gave France a penalty. Griezmann took the penalty kick in the 38th minute and scored by kicking it low into the left corner. In the 43rd minute, Lucas Hernandez got a yellow card for a foul on Rebić. Then Perišić shot the ball towards the goal, but it was deflected by Paul Pogba for a corner. Just before the first half ended, Croatia had a corner kick. Rakitić kicked it into the penalty area, and Vida had a chance to score with his head, but he missed the goal. The first half ended with France leading 2–1, even though they only had one shot on goal and had the ball for 34% of the time. During halftime, experts on TV talked about whether France's goals were fair. Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand on BBC One said that the free kick for the first goal and the penalty for the second should not have been given. Shearer called the penalty decision "ridiculous" and said the handball was not on purpose. Chris Waddle, on BBC Radio 5 Live, thought the penalty was right, saying "I would have given it. Perišić used his hand to stop the ball." Gabriele Marcotti of ESPN said it was a difficult decision that could have gone either way, even after watching the replay.