After an agonising defeat in Croatia's previous Davis Cup final, there was no let-down for Marin Cilic this time.
Cilic was two sets up against Juan Martin del Potro two years ago in Zagreb, with Croatia leading Argentina 2-1 on the final day, when his game collapsed and the South Americans fought back to win the final.
This weekend in northern France, Cilic didn't give even a glimmer of hope to his opponents that they could stage a comeback of their own.
On the indoor clay court set up inside Lille's soccer stadium, the former US Open champion was ruthless and composed.
His clinical display on Sunday secured a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 6-3 win over Lucas Pouille to give Croatia an unassailable 3-1 victory over the 2017 champions, before both teams agreed not to play the final rubber.
While Argentina were able to fight back in the 2016 decider, the French didn't have the weapons required.
The hosts won the doubles but were thrashed in straight sets in the three singles matches played against Cilic and Borna Coric.
"Look at the statistics from Borna and I, in three matches we did not lose a serve, it says much about our level and how well we played," Cilic said.
"We were both in a great form at the right time.
"For us, it's a dream come true, for this nation, we are so passionate, you can see the fans."
Croatia won the Davis Cup for a second time, after victory in 2005, and denied France an 11th crown.
"They destroyed us," France captain Yannick Noah said.
"They did not give us a single break."
Noah, who will step down from his third stint in charge, said his team had been outplayed.
"The guys did the maximum. Sometimes the bar is too high. That's my feeling," he said.
"We lost to a better team. We just went to their locker room to congratulate them.
"I think they're beautiful winners and they deserve it."
The final was played for the last time in its traditional format.
Beginning next year the competition will be decided with a season-ending, 18-team tournament at a neutral site.
