Mario Mandzukic wrote his name into this history books for all the wrong reasons on Sunday as he became the first player ever to score an own goal in a World Cup final.

The Juventus striker rose to clear Antoine Griezmann's free-kick but could only divert into his own net to give France an 18th-minute lead at the Luzhniki Stadium.

In the previous 20 World Cup finals, dating back to 1930, no player has ever put through their own net until the Croatian's unfortunate intervention against France.

Mandzukic's header also continues the remarkable trend of own goals scored in Russia as he recorded the 12th of this summer's tournament.

The previous highest tally was just six at France 1998 but the opener in Sunday's final means that total has now been doubled with Mandzukic's mistake.

The trend of own goals in Russia began when Morocco's Aziz Bouhaddouz diverted into his own net to give Iran a late victory in their Group B opener.

Three own goals have been scored in the knockout stages now. Russia's Sergei Ignashevic put through his own net in the last-16 match against Spain while Fernandinho scored an own goal in Brazil's quarter-final defeat by Belgium.

Yann Sommer of Switzerland scored perhaps the most unfortunate own goal of the tournament when a Costa Rica penalty crashed off the bar and into the net off the goalkeeper's back.

Russia's Denis Cheryshev scored four goals in the right end for the hosts this month but his own goal put Uruguay on course for victory in their final group stage game.


There was also a moment for redemption when he turned in a goal from a France goal keeper howler
Hence he ultimately become a hero and a villain in a world cup loss to winners France


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5956199/Mario-Mandzukic-player-score-goal-World-Cup-final.html

More

He tried all he can.
Croatian surprised the whole world making it to the finals.
Thumbs up to them.

post=69409603:
He tried all he can.
Croatian surprised the whole world making it to the finals.
Thumbs up to them.

They surpassed all expectations. Pity Mandzukic entered history books for unsavory reasons. They got sucker punched by a better team

He is better than mumu Kalinic.

2nd actually

you call this a record for scoring against his team

lol

lexyman:
you call this a record for scoring against his team

It's an unsavory record but it's still a record. He conceded and scored in the same match. Some record though