World Cup 2018: 4 key player battles to watch out for in the final - France vs Croatia

#2 N’Golo Kante vs Luka Modric

Luka Modric - maestro

Luka Modric was already considered one of the premier midfielders in world football, but it is safe to say he has reached a new level at this World Cup. He has orchestrated the Croatian midfield with near perfection, performing a variety of roles seamlessly.

He has been instrumental to his team’s success at this World Cup, and has dominated the midfield nearly every time he has stepped on the pitch. However, in the final he will come up against French engine - N’Golo Kante, who is bound to provide him with his sternest test yet.

It cannot be over emphasised just how important Kante is to this French side. Kante is a forceful presence in midfield. He makes interceptions, wins tackles and breaks up play all over the pitch, while also being useful in linking the play going forward.

He is often put onto the opposition’s most influential players to slow them down, expect him to do a similar job against Modric.

If Kante stops Modric from picking out passes and running the midfield, Croatia could be in massive trouble. Modric was pretty much anonymous in the first half of the semi-final against England, and as a result they trailed.

When he got into the game more in the second half, Croatia were able to turn it around. It was an indication of just how important Modric is to Croatia’s play and France would have seen that and realized what they need to do.

There are few players currently in world football who do what Kante does. If Kante comes out on top in the battle of the two midfielders, Croatia’s dream might very well be over.