Crowds of French fans have gathered in the streets of Paris and other cities to celebrate their team's World Cup triumph.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets, including the Champs-Elysees in the capital, after France defeated Croatia 4-2 in Moscow.

Image: France celebrates winning the World Cup in Russia

In a tweet, President Emmanuel Macron said simply: "Merci".

It is the second World Cup trophy for France since the tournament was held in the nation back in 1998.

Play was briefly held up by four protesters who ran onto the field in the second half. Russian punk band Pussy Riot later took credit for the incident.


Image: French President Emmanuel Macron celebrates beside Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic

With an average age of 26, France had the second youngest team in the tournament, and their golden generation featuring Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe are set to return home as heroes.

Image: French fans gather as they watch the World Cup final

Croatia exceeded their best ever finish in the tournament.

Image: Paul Pogba celebrates wearing a French flag

Fans across the world - in Moscow, Paris, and Zagreb, but also London and New York - were in great noise as the 2018 World Cup in Russia came to its conclusion on Sunday.

Image: Croatian supporters stand to sing their national anthem in downtown Zagreb

Antoine Griezmann won the French their first goal, although it came against the run of play.

Image: Russian president Valdimir Putin touches the World Cup trophy

Croatia dominated the opening quarter, harrying the French back four with commendable discipline.

Image: Mandzukic flicks on Griezmann's free kick into his own net

However a free kick in the 18th minute from Griezmann flicked off of Croatian star Mario Mandzukic's head and nestled into the far corner of the Croatian net.

It only took 11 minutes for Croatia to equalise, with a lovely control from Peresic giving himself space to shoot in the French box before he drilled a shot past Hugo Lloris.

Image: Perisic celebrates after equalising

Croatia's lead wasn't to last. A VAR review helped the referee decide that Persisic handled the ball in his own box in the 38th minute, leaving Griezmann to calmly slot the ball into the bottom corner.

Image: Griezmann calmly finishes from the spot

The third goal was scored in the 59th minute by Pogba, who picked up the original initial shot was blocked, although the second chance was steered gracefully into the net.

Image: Griezmann and Mbappe embrace after the third goal

It seemed crucial and definitive, but was followed by a 65th minute scorcher from French wonderkid Kylian Mbappe, who drilled home a low shot from 25 years for his fourth of the tournament.

Mpbappe became the second ever youngest scorer in a World Cup final, 60 years after a 17-year-old Pele won the top spot.

Image: French fans celebrate during the World Cup final

Image: A pitch invader was quickly detained during the final game

Croatia picked up a second in the 69th minute after a Lloris howler saw possession given needlessly away to Mandzukic, who duly found the back of the net.

Image: France's Antoine Griezmann has fired the country to their second ever World Cup trophy

A nervy affair continued to be played out over the last 20 minutes, but no more goals were forthcoming and the players rushed to celebrate with each other as the final whistle was blown.