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The penultimate day has finally arrived, after a month of some wonderful performances and heartbreaks. One among the two teams, France and Croatia is going to be crowned as the World Champions. Whatever the result maybe, European domination over the kingdom of world football is set to continue.
France are no strangers to playing in such high-profile matches, having qualified to play in the final, for the third time in previous six editions of the tournament. However, Croatia is playing for the first time in a World Cup final and could become the first East European country to win the coveted trophy.
The two teams have been tied against each other on five previous occasions, with France winning two of those matches and drawing the rest. It would be a resilient Croatia taking on a French side that is aiming for glory, having won it in 1998.
Here are the five things to watch out for in this high profile-clash.
#1 The rise of wonder boy Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is the name on every football fan's lips. His dazzling displays in Russia have left spectators amazed. He is the second youngest player to play the World Cup this time, at the age of 19 years and six months. But his skills and capabilities betray his age.
From winning the UEFA U-19 Championships in 2016 with France to becoming the youngest player to score in a UEFA Champions League match, the prodigy has come a long way. He has set the World Cup on fire by scoring some beautiful goals, helping Les Blues topple Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the run-up to the final.
The most expensive teenager in world football is at the brink of glory, that equals him with the Brazilian legend Pele who won the World Cup at the age of 17. He sure has a wonderful future ahead of him and he could very well be France's talisman in the final.
#2 Luka Modric vs N'Golo Kante - midfield battle
Luka Modric's story hasn't exactly been a fairy tale. Plagued by the horrors of war and weak physique in his childhood, Modric has had a tough journey to cover. Right now he is at the top.
Croatia's captain Luka Modric has been their standout performer in this World Cup. He became one of the finest midfielders in world football ever since he joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012.
His dedication, reading of the game and ability to change the flow of the game, makes him so dangerous. France will have their task cut out and would have to stop Modric if they hope to lift the trophy.
N'Golo Kante has been the unsung hero of his team, almost always. However he has been turning heads with his performances in the World Cup and has been their most consistent player throughout the tournament. The midfield engine snuffs out opposition attacks with ease.
From playing in the 6th division of French football to winning two Premier League titles and reaching the final with France, his career is a testimony to hard work and dedication. He would be vital to France's chances of returning home with the ultimate trophy.
#3 The attacking engines - France and Croatia
Both teams locking horns on Sunday are really dangerous when they attack in general or on counter. It would be a joy to see who comes out on top.
The French attacking arsenal has the ever-dependent Olivier Giroud upfront, whose capability to link up with team-mates and holding the ball makes him a really important member of the squad.
Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann have the potential to wreak havoc in opposition defense systems. In the engine room, N'Golo Kante pairs up with the visionary Paul Pogba and sprinter Blaise Matuidi. On top of that, the presence of Thomas Lemar, Nabir Fekir, Ousmane Dembele, Kimpembe and Tolisso on the bench, almost guarantees success.
The Croatian team has the very capable Mario Mandzukic as the centre forward who often scores spectacular goals for fun. He is very well complimented by the dangerous Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic, whose pinpoint crosses make him a really serious threat to the opposition.
Captain Luka Modric is partnered by partner-in-crime Ivan Rakitic, whose exemplary vision helps him to pull the strings from midfield. Marcelo Brozovic completes the equation in the pivot. Mateo Kovacic and Andrej Kramaric are very good with the substitute roles.
#4 The French wall of defense
The French team has gradually evolved into one of the most complete teams with their progress at the World Cup. From a team that conceded 3 goals against Argentina to a team that took on the entire might of Belgium's attacking force, the French defense has become a really compact unit under 1998 World Cup winning captain and now manager - Didier Deschamps.
The defense is marshalled by Real Madrid's Raphael Varane, who has blossomed into one of the best defenders in world football ever since he broke into the Real Madrid starting XI. He is very ably supported by the beast of Barcelona - Samuel Umtiti, who rose to prominence at Lyon and continued his growth when he joined Barcelona in 2016.
Right-back Benjamin Pavard has been the find of the tournament and performed very well so far, taking the world by storm with that sweet volley he rifled into the back of the Argentinean net.
Lucas Hernandez's rise to fame hasn't been a smooth journey. However he has become a much better player in a short time, by nailing the left-back spot with Atletico Madrid and in the French team ahead of Lucas Digne and Benjamin Mendy.
#5 Antoine Griezmann's thirst for World Cup glory
For a player who was asked to stop playing the game due to his frail build, Antoine Griezmann has come a long way in silencing his critics. In the space of two years, he has reached the UEFA Euro final in 2016 and the FIFA World Cup final this time. That is a great achievement in itself.
However, he has had a lot of disappointments in his career. He lost the UEFA Champions League final playing for Atletico Madrid against Real Madrid in 2016 and lost the European Championship final to Ronaldo's Portugal as well.
He has had a stellar World Cup so far, scoring three goals and assisting on two occasions. A current favorite to win the Golden Ball alongside rival Luka Modric, Frenchmen have nicknamed him 'Grizou' because he has been leading the team from the front just like Zinedine 'Zizou' Zidane did in earlier times.
In a recent interview, Griezmann quoted that he would give anything to win the World Cup. Only time will tell if he can win football's most coveted prize.
