France finally celebrated winning the World Cup with their home fans on Sunday after Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud both scored in a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Paris.
Giroud swept in the winner from a Benjamin Mendy cross in the 75th minute for his first goal in 11 games in a France shirt, after the Chelsea striker went through the entirety of his country's triumphant campaign in Russia without scoring.
On their first appearance on home soil since the World Cup, Mbappe had earlier put France ahead in an explosive performance from the 19-year-old striker, before Ryan Babel briefly restored parity in the second half.
The Stade de France exploded in celebration at Giroud's winner in a game that had a competitive edge as part of Uefa's new Nations League.
However, this match on a balmy evening was really just a prelude to World Cup victory celebrations on the pitch in front of almost 80,000 fans at the national stadium after the final whistle.
"The victory was the most important thing, so we can have a great party," manager Didier Deschamps told television station M6.
"I am really pleased for Olivier. Strikers can have periods like that where they are not as efficient, but he is useful in our build-up play, he scored a lovely goal, and on top of that it gave us the victory."
The French team and their supporters saw this occasion as the opportunity to make up for the lack of a memorable public celebration in the immediate aftermath of the World Cup triumph in Russia.
The day after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final, Les Bleus paraded hurriedly down the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris en route to a reception hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.
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The plane carrying the French football team is met with a water cannon salute at Charles de Gaulle airport. Bob Edme / AP Photo -
The France football team arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Pascal Rossignol / Reuters -
A bus is parked in front of the plane transporting the France's national football team at the Charles de Gaulle Airport. Thomas Samson / AFP -
French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris holds the cup as the French football team arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Bob Edme / AP Photo -
France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with the trophy, Sports Minister Laura Flessel, defender Raphael Varane, midfielder Paul Pogba, forward Thomas Lemar and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola celebrate at the Charles de Gaulle Airport. Thomas Samson / AFP -
France's fans greet France's national football team players as they celebrate on the roof of a bus while they parade down the Champs-Elysee avenue in Paris. AFP / Bertrand GUAY -
The Patrouille de France jets perform as they trail smoke in the colours of the national flag fly over the Champs Elysee as supporters welcome players of the French national football team after they won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match in Paris. AFP / Bertrand GUAY -
France's team players celebrate on the roof of a bus as they arrive at the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, on July 16, 2018 after winning the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match. / AFP / Bertrand GUAY -
Supporters gather on the Champs-Elysees avenue near the Arch of Triumph (Arc de Triomphe) in Paris on July 16, 2018 as they wait for the arrival of the French national football team for celebrations after France won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match on the previous night. / AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU -
Security forces stand guard by supporters waving French national flags and gathering at the Place Charles de Gaulle up the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on July 16, 2018 as they wait for the arrival of the French national football team for celebrations after France won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match on the previous night. / AFP / Bertrand GUAY -
A child holds a placard shaped as a the World cup trophy as he waits with other supporters on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on July 16, 2018, for the arrival of the French national football team for celebrations after France won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match on the previous night. / AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU -
TOPSHOT - France's national football team players celebrate on the roof of a bus as they parade down the Champs-Elysee avenue in Paris, on July 16, 2018 after winning the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match. / AFP / Lucas Barioulet -
France's fans greet France's national football team players as they celebrate on the roof of a bus while they parade down the Champs-Elysee avenue in Paris, on July 16, 2018 after winning the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match. / AFP / Bertrand GUAY -
Well-wishers prepare to cheer the victorious French team parading on the famed Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, France, after their 4-2 victory Sunday over Croatia to capture the trophy in the final of the FIFA World Cup, Monday, July 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias) -
TOPSHOT - France's fans light flares as they greet France's national football team players as they parade on a bus down the Champs-Elysee in Paris, on July 16, 2018 after winning the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match. / AFP / Bertrand GUAY -
Soccer Football - World Cup - The Croatia team return from the World Cup in Russia - Zagreb, Croatia - July 16, 2018 Croatia fans with flares REUTERS/Marko Djurica -
France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (C) smiles and holds the trophy as he arrives with teammates for a reception at the Elysee Presidential Palace on July 16, 2018 in Paris after French players won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match. France celebrated their second World Cup win 20 years after their maiden triumph on July 15, 2018, overcoming a passionate Croatia side 4-2 in one of the most gripping finals in recent history. / AFP / Lionel BONAVENTURE -
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron pose with France soccer team captain Hugo Lloris holding the trophy, coach Didier Deschamps and players before a reception to honour the France soccer team after their victory in the 2018 Russia Soccer World Cup, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 16, 2018. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer -
A woman cheers as people gather for a "heroes' welcome" in tribute to Croatian national football team, after reaching the final at the Russia 2018 World Cup, at the Bana Jelacica Square in Zagreb, on July 16, 2018. / AFP / Dimitar DILKOFF -
Isabelle Matuidi, wife of France's soccer player Blaise Matuidi, and their children arrive to attend a reception to honour the France soccer team after their victory in the 2018 Russia Soccer World Cup, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 16, 2018. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer -
France's midfielder Corentin Tolisso's girl-friend Sarah (L) and his sister Marine Tolisso, arrive for a reception at the Elysee Presidential Palace on July 16, 2018 in Paris after French players won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match. France celebrated their second World Cup win 20 years after their maiden triumph on July 15, 2018, overcoming a passionate Croatia side 4-2 in one of the most gripping finals in recent history. / AFP / Lionel BONAVENTURE -
France's midfielder Paul Pogba's girl-friend, Maria Zulay Salaues (L) and the player's mother, Yeo, arrive for a reception at the Elysee Presidential Palace on July 16, 2018 in Paris after French players won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match. France celebrated their second World Cup win 20 years after their maiden triumph on July 15, 2018, overcoming a passionate Croatia side 4-2 in one of the most gripping finals in recent history. / AFP / Lionel BONAVENTURE -
France's forward Kylian Mbappe's father Wilfried Mbappe (L) and brother Ethan Mbappe arrive for a reception at the Elysee Presidential Palace on July 16, 2018 in Paris after French players won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match. France celebrated their second World Cup win 20 years after their maiden triumph on July 15, 2018, overcoming a passionate Croatia side 4-2 in one of the most gripping finals in recent history. / AFP / Lionel BONAVENTURE -
Camille Tytgat (C), wife of France's defender Raphael Varane, pushes their son Ruben sitting in a stroller, as they arrive for a reception at the Elysee Presidential Palace on July 16, 2018 in Paris after French players won the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match. France celebrated their second World Cup win 20 years after their maiden triumph on July 15, 2018, overcoming a passionate Croatia side 4-2 in one of the most gripping finals in recent history. / AFP / ludovic MARIN
The rushed nature of those celebrations disappointed the estimated 300,000 fans who took to the streets, and so this time the victorious squad were presented one by one to supporters after the final whistle.
The World Cup trophy was shown off as well, and the squad undertook a lap of honour, singing with supporters, at the stadium where France first won it in 1998.
"Now is the time to have a party," Paul Pogba told M6.
"When we came back to France it was very short. There was all the security around the bus and we couldn't really celebrate with the public.
"This time we are at the Stade de France, it's full, it's beautiful."
The France starting line-up was the same as that in Thursday's 0-0 draw with Germany in Munich, meaning the only change from the World Cup final was in goal, with Alphonse Areola replacing the injured Hugo Lloris.
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The teams were greeted by an enormous banner that read "world champions" and covered the pitch, before a spine-tingling version of the French national anthem.
Mbappe forced a good save from Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen inside 50 seconds, and his performance here showed why he is tipped as a future Ballon d'Or winner.
He got the breakthrough in the 14th minute as he turned in a ball driven across the box by Blaise Matuidi for his eighth international goal in 2018.
The hosts looked in complete control against a Dutch side rebuilding under Ronald Koeman after failing to qualify for Euro 2016 or the World Cup.
It took the visitors 66 minutes to seriously threaten, as Georginio Wijnaldum found himself in behind the defence only to drag his shot wide.
But the Dutch were level just a minute later, Kenny Tete delivering a cross from the right for Babel - unmissable with his hair dyed red - to convert.
Giroud got the winner though, his 32nd for his country seeing him move one clear of Zinedine Zidane's tally for France.
After drawing in Germany, France are in control in the three-team Group 1 of League A in the Nations League, with the group winners going through to the four-team finals next June.
But for them the evening was always about the post-game festivities first and foremost.
