In pictures: French take to the streets in celebration after World Cup victory

France celebrated their second World Cup win 20 years defeating a passionate Croatia side 4-2 in Moscow

Hundreds of thousands of French fans partied into the night on the Champs Elysees on Sunday to mark the country's World Cup victory, celebrating football and the power of the game to bring a tense and often fearful nation together.

The country erupted in joy on Sunday after "les Bleus" clinched a 4-2 victory over Croatia in Moscow, with fans streaming into the streets, honking car horns and flying the tricolour flag.



Cheers rang out throughout the country for each of goals in the final which has transformed the young team into national icons 20 years after the country's first World Cup triumph.

Even before the final whistle in Moscow, crowds packed the Champs Elysees in central Paris in a repeat of the scenes of 1998 when more than one million people partied there into the early hours.



"1998 was magical! Tonight my son has the chance to experience the same happiness," Eric Rodenas, 42, told AFP with his son Raphael, who had travelled from France's south coast to the capital.

As night fell, the dancing and singing continued, with the Arc de Triomphe at the top of the famed boulevard lit up in the red, white and blue of the French flag.

PHOTO: AFP

The Eiffel Tower is illuminated Blue, White and Red, colors of the french flag,

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People watch the Russia 2018 World Cup football final between France and Croatia in Wamena, Papua.



PHOTO: AFP

The Empire State Building is lit in honor the 2018 World Cup champion, France.

PHOTO: AFP

This picture taken from the terrace of the Publicis drugstore shows a portrait of French forward Kylian Mbappe projected on Paris' landmark Arc de Triomphe.

PHOTO: AFP

France supporters celebrate in Lyon after winning the World cup for the second time.

 

PHOTO: AFP

People celebrate in Le Gosier on the French overseas Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.

PHOTO: AFP

This picture taken from the top of the Arch of Triumph shows people gathering to celebrate on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris.

PHOTO: AFP

France supporters celebrate in Montpellier, southern France.

PHOTO: AFP

People celebrate on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris.