Many were expecting a cagey World Cup final but, after half an hour, both France and Croatia had found the net and there was plenty of energy on display.
France took the lead after Mario Mandzukic got a hair to an Antoine Griezmann free-kick, which redirected the ball into the back of the Croatian net.
The goal was against the run of play and Croatia quickly busied themselves in pursuit of an equaliser.
And what an equaliser it was.
Shortly before the thirty minute mark, the ball broke to Ivan Perisic on the edge of the French area and, with impressive composure, he dragged the ball on to his left foot and let fly.
Hugo Lloris could only watch the ball sail past him as the Croatian winger sprinted to the corner flag to celebrate.
GOAL! After the ball bounces around France's box, it falls for Perisic who takes one touch away from the defender before rifling a left-footed strike past Lloris pic.twitter.com/F5AzIpHUYn
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 15, 2018
After being mobbed by his teammates, Perisic then pulled up one leg of his shorts and flexed his left quadriceps muscle as if to hammer home the point that he’s got plenty of power in his left leg.
It reminded plenty of viewers of Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous celebration when he found the net against Osasuna in the 2011/12 season with a driving effort from distance.
Was it a message from the Inter Milan star to the Juventus-bound Ronaldo? Or was it just a reminder of the traction engine of a left peg that Perisic has?
Either way, supporters adored it.
Oh my god Perisic showing off his thigh muscle as a celebration. If he was doing that to take the piss out of Ronaldo I have so much love for him.
— Dónal🚩🌲 (@commie_spice) July 15, 2018
Perisic doing Ronaldo’s leg celebration. Ahhhh, I love this game
— Taconazo (@ElTaconDeDios) July 15, 2018
Ivan Perisic!!! With the Ronaldo celebration lmaoooo
— Moneybagg Leaux ⚜️ (@LeauxLife504) July 15, 2018
Perisic flashing his thigh and pointing to it after scoring was Ronaldo-esque. #CRO
— Paul Dawkins (@Paul__Dawkins) July 15, 2018
Perisic’s thighs >>>>>> Ronaldo’s thighs
— बकैती Perry (@AbsoluteTadka) July 15, 2018
Perisic showing Ronaldo that he's not the only one with thighs! #WorldCup #Cro
— Keith (aka Ned) (@Keith_750) July 15, 2018
Perisic with the Ronaldo showing quad celebration lol
— Aux (@ooooohscaar_) July 15, 2018
Perisic mocking Ronaldos celebration, fucking love it
— Elliott (@Elliott_Deaks15) July 15, 2018
Absolute rocket from Perisic. Love the celebration. #WorldCup #WorldCupFinal #FRACRO
— Seb Candido (@WFC_Seb) July 15, 2018
