France vs Croatia: FIFA Men's World Cup 2018 Final

A team of creative and artistic individuals with a knack for flair and a team battered, tested and has played till the edge of penalties, will meet for the 21st World Cup Championship.

 

 

 

 

The matchup was set yesterday, as Croatia outlasted England in extra time. The French were the favourites before the tournament and will start as one so Sunday. Croatia has played 120 minutes plus added time in all of their 3 knockout matches, i.e., they have played an extra of 90 minutes (1 game) of football than their opponents France. Talk about resilience!!

 

The strength of both sides is the "jugalbandi" of their midfield and attack from the flanks, both the teams have shown a propensity for a conservative approach.

 

This is the 3rd all-European final in the last four World Cups, and Croatia, a debutant at this stage is the 13th nation to reach a World Cup final. 

 

Here's a closer look at Sunday's game

 

FRANCE’S Tale:

 

Les Bleus came to Russia with high expectations, with an impressive squad and a disappointing loss in Euro Finals on home soil. One can say, an appearance in the final was expected as a normality. And they restored the faith of their fans by being cool, calculative and clinical. Manager Didier Deschamps has opted for a balanced approach, as France has vanquished their opponents one at a time. France has scored goals in all manners and the goal scorers are not restricted to their attackers. Varane in the quarterfinals and Umtiti in the semifinal have shown that Les Blues have a range of options to score goals.

 

FRANCE POTENTIAL STARTERS

Hugo Lloris, Lucas Hernández, Samuel Umtiti, Raphaël Varane, Benjamin Pavard, N’Golo Kanté, Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud

 

FRANCE LEADING WORLD CUP SCORERS

Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé – 3 goals each

 

 

CROATIA’S Story

 

The Vatreni have looked at elimination eye to eye many times. Croatia beat Ukraine in their final game to book a place in the playoff stage. There they beat Greece 4-1 to seal their spot in Russia. They made the headlines when they beat Argentina in the second group stage match. Croatia has been made to labour their way to the finals. Two penalty shootouts and extra time against England, they have played more football than France. This is Croatia's "Golden Generation", the last national squad to enter semifinals was in 1998 when France beat them in semis and since they have struggled to go past the group stage. They have quality in their ranks, players from Europe's top clubs like Modric, Rakitic, Mandzukic, Kovacic, Perisic and more.

 

If Croatia can clear the last hurdle, they’ll make history. Only countries that develop talent and contend for titles consistently have won the World Cup. No “golden generation” has ever won. 

 

 

CROATIA POTENTIAL STARTERS

Danijel Subašić, Ivan Strinić, Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Šime Vrsaljko, Marcelo Brozović, Ivan Perišić, Ivan Rakitić, Luka Modrić, Ante Rebić, Mario Mandžukić

 

CROATIA LEADING WORLD CUP SCORERS

Mario Mandžukić, Ivan Perišić, Luka Modrić – 2 goals each

 

FRANCE - CROATIA Head to Head

France and Croatia have played 5 matches against each other with the French winning 3 and drawing 2.

 

 

PREVIOUS WORLD CUP FINAL APPEARANCES

France – 1998 (defeated Brazil), 2006 (lost to Italy)

Croatia – Never