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

#3 Danijel Subasic vs Hugo Lloris

Hugo Lloris - safe hands

Subasic and Lloris both had moments in the semi-finals that were critical in the result of their respective games. Subasic did brilliantly to deny Kane from close range which could have put them 0-2 down and probably ended their challenge, while Lloris made a stunning stop to deny Alderweireld what could have been a game changing opener for Belgium.

It proved just how important these moments are in the long run, under-appreciated as they might be.

Both men will have to be at their utmost best in the final. We have seen how goalkeeping errors can affect matches throughout the course of the tournament and a mistake on the biggest stage would be horrible.

In the event the match proceeds to a penalty shoot-out, even more pressure will be on the two. Subasic has proven himself over and over again in this tournament, guiding Croatia to two penalty shoot-out victories already.

While France have yet to be taken the distance, Lloris is on his day one of the top 5 keepers in the world, and it has most definitely been his day every time he has stepped out on the pitch in this tournament.

There will be chances for both sides, and most assuredly both keepers will be called into action. In an intense atmosphere, it could come down which of the two can hold their nerve and pull out some stops.