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This Sunday will witness a historic match in World Cup history. There is a huge possibility that a new champion will be crowned as Kings of world football. When France meets Croatia, it is a battle between a traditional football powerhouse and a new rising footballing nation. France is trying to win their second world title after 20 long years and Croatia is determined to create history. Tackles will be thrown in, words will be exchanged, sweat and maybe even blood will be on the grass, little battles will be waged amongst the players because the war has to be won. The World Cup has to be won.
France has a host of young, talented players like Mbappe, Griezman and Pogba, whereas Croatia is lined up with more experienced players like Modric, Rakitic and Mandzukic. Basically, it will be a war between youthful exuberance and experienced football brains. We will have to wait till Sunday to see which team edges past the other by winning the little battles across the pitch: France again or a new champion in Croatia?
Kylian Mbappe vs Croatian Defense
Kylian Mbappe has been a sensation this World Cup. He had already made headlines last summer with his switch from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain. The world knew about his goal scoring capabilities much before he boarded the plane for Russia, but the display was so influential that he played a major role in helping France reach the final. His burst of pace, positioning and stunning ball control have already caused enough chaos among the opposition defenses so far. He is not a player who goes hiding on big occasions, and thus he will try and make a big impact on a huge day.
Among the defenders who lined up against England in the semi-final, except Sime Vrsaljko, all the others (Lovren, Vida, and Strinic) are close to their thirties. We must accept and awe at the fact that this defense kept the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard at bay. But, can we expect the same against another excellent frontline of Griezman, Mbappe, and Giroud? Remember, Croatia has already played three consecutive matches of 120 minutes. But, as we saw against England, they are fighters and they will fight till the end.
Verdict: Mbappe to edge over a rather slow Croatian backline. Only determination and utmost concentration can stop Mbappe from tearing them apart.
Battle in the midfield
Midfield is the brain of a football team. And in this final, we have two great brains on both sides. When France shocked Brazil and won the World Cup in 1998, they had the best midfield of their generation. The French midfield of 1998 was studded with gems like Zidane, Pires, Petit, Vieira and the current French national team coach, Deschamps. That midfield was the engine of that team and they delivered. The current French team can also boast of a solid, intelligent midfield even if it cannot be compared to the great 1998 squad. Pogba offers power and flair, Kante runs with at least five or six lungs, making people wonder whether he ever will get tired and Matuidi offers the balance between the two. The combination of Matuidi and Kante allows Pogba to foray forward and unleash his creative side of the game. If these three continue to combine like they have already done in this WC edition, Croatia will sweat.
Croatia is not far behind when it comes to the strength of midfield. They have two great players who have made remarkable achievements in Spanish football - Luca Modric and Ivan Rakitic. Add one of the versatile, box-to-box midfielders in Italian League, Marcelo Brozović into the equation, you get a well-balanced midfield engine. These three may not have the physicality or high levels of energy of that of the French trio, but in terms of football intelligence, the Croatian trio will edge them a bit. Watch out for the creative outbursts of Modric and incisive passes fro Rakitic, it will be a treat to watch.
Verdict: This will be the toughest battle on the pitch. It will be difficult to carve out who will edge who, but the fatigue factor might weaken Croatia a bit.
French wall vs Croatian attack
France has conceded only 4 goals so far. Croatia has already scored 12 goals. This battle is pretty balanced. Apart from having one of the 'relatively-not-so-young' attacking line-up, Croatia has managed to score a decent number of goals against decent defenses. And France has to be aware of that.
Varane and Umiti have been a good pairing and has shown great performances so far in this World Cup. Both have scored with their heads and have been crucial in helping France advance. The surprise package was Benjamin Pavard, who was brilliant on the right flank. He has already scored a stunner and that beauty is in line for the Goal of the Tournament picks. Hernandez, if not so brilliant, but has played in as a decent enough left back option.
Mandzukic, Perisic, and Rebic are not Griezman or Mbappe. But they are highly effective and the world has seen that. If you have any doubts, ask Southgate. They have the motivation and capabilities to challenge the relatively young French defense and breach it to write a few moments of glory.
Verdict: French defense looks sharper and importantly fresher when compared to the Croatian forwards. But, with the brilliance of the midfield and the combination play between Perisic and Mandzukic, Croatia will not bow out without a fight.
Battle of the Goalkeepers
Not much to write here. Heroics have already been written by both the goalkeepers in this WC. Probably, this is one of the best (or worst?) editions of the world cup where the importance of goalkeepers was highlighted. We have already witnessed superb goalkeeping displays from the likes of Halldórsson and Schmeichel, and on the other side blunders from the great De Gea and reliable Muslera. On top of it, so many penalties and crucial penalty shoot-outs! So, goalkeepers were on the line of fire all through the tournament and their performances were crucial in helping their teams advance.
Subasic has shown the world what he has been made of, with a string of performances including two penalty shootouts. Hugo Lloris is a world-class shot-stopper who has a proven record in the English Premier League and is more experienced. He is the major force responsible for rallying and controlling the young defense ahead of him. Both goalkeepers have got the attributes to provide a great display in the final, but the slight injury that Subasic carries might be an issue.
Verdict: Lloris. Experience and leadership qualities over Subasic makes him a clear winner. But again, sometimes fighters win despite being the minnow.
