World Cup 2018: Five Tactical Points that will decide the World Cup Final

#2 Luka Modric vs N’Golo Kante

Modric will be closely monitored by Kante

If Mbappe has any competition for the Golden Ball, it comes from Luka Modric, who has shown his class as one of the best midfielders in the world. Modric hasn’t had same sort of talent around him as he does in Real Madrid but has still been incredibly effective. The Croatia captain has created 16 chances for his teammates in the tournament- only three players have created more.

Yet, if there is one man who can stop Modric’s brilliance, then it is N’Golo Kante. The Chelsea midfielder ranks second in interceptions, first in passes blocked, sixth in successful tackles and most in overall ball recoveries. It is that energy and intelligence that can prevent Modric from dominating the game.

However it may not be as simple as that: Modric loves to sit deep within his own half. Most of Modric’s touches in the semi-final came within his own half on the right side. From that position, Modric can help control the game while also using long balls to get behind the French defence (he has created seven chances through long balls in the tournament).

What makes this troubling for Les Blues is that if Kante tried to pressure Modric within Croatia’s half, then this will create spaces behind Kante for Rakitic and Croatia’s wingers to exploit. Instead, France may rely on defensive midfielder turned winger Blaise Matuidi to pressure Modric. This may reduce the effectiveness of French counter-attacks. This midfield battle will indeed decide the game.