FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018 Final: France vs Croatia Preview
Moscow, Russia – France and Croatia will face off for international football’s greatest honour when they meet at the Luzhniki Stadium in Sunday’s World Cup final. Even the average football fan knows just how stacked France is, but Croatia is a team that also has its fair share of superstars who have helped carry this team.
Current Form:
Both sides are unbeaten in their run to the final. France overcame Belgium 1-0 in the semi-finals, with Samuel Umtiti securing a 1-0 victory as the Red Devils were unable to find a way through the dogged defence of Les Bleus. Croatia, meanwhile, showed great resolve to battle back from a goal down against England to eventually win 2-1 in extra time courtesy of a Mario Mandzukic volley.
Previous Encounters:
The two nations have met five times, and Croatia have never beaten France. Their first meeting came at the 1998 World Cup, with Les Bleus winning 2-1 in the semi-finals en route to lifting the famous trophy on home soil.
View From Both Camps:
France head coach Didier Deschamps: “There is a spirit in the squad that can move mountains. They are young and they will be even stronger in two and four years’ time.”
“We have created an opportunity to become world champions but we are still not there. But we want to fulfill our destiny.”
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic: “At this World Cup, the star-studded teams relying on the big names are already on the beach. It’s the compact, united teams fighting for something that are still around.
“It’s been the strangest World Cup. Football has advanced so much so any team can have well-organized defense, so there are no huge winning margins and the team is everything. This was our problem for 10 years, we had great individuals but no unity and that’s why I had to build that unity of purpose in the team.”
Team News:
Blaise Matuidi should be fit to start despite going off injured against Belgium, with Didier Deschamps likely to pick the same XI as started that 1-0 win.
Ivan Strinic is also likely to recover after limping off against England, while Mario Mandzukic should also be ready despite going off with cramp in extra-time.
Potential Lineups:
France (4-2-3-1) : Hugo Lloris; Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez; Paul Pogba, Ngolo Kante; Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Blaise Matuidi; Olivier Giroud.
Croatia (4-2-3-1) : Danijel Subasic; Sime Vrsaljko, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic; Ivan Rakitic, Marcelo Brozovic; Ante Rebic, Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic; Mario Mandzukic.
Match Prediction:
In a World Cup not short of upsets, France have been the only pre-tournament favourite to live up to expectations. Croatia were tipped to be a dark horse so their achievement to get to the final is not all that surprising. France will be looking to win their second ever World Cup trophy on Sunday while Croatia are looking to win their first.
France however, head into this game as heavy favorites. Croatia returns home as national heroes regardless of the result. Prior to Sunday, their best ever finish in a World Cup was third, in 1998. The two sides are at completely opposite sides of the age spectrum with this game viewed as Croatia’s golden generations last chance while the French squad is relatively young.
However, the Croatian defense is a real cause for concern and the French attack will likely instigate a mistake.
Prediction : France 2-1 Croatia (A.E.T)
