World Cup Finals 2018 – France vs Croatia: Preview2 min read

After more than a month of intense fixtures, the World Cup Final 2018 is only a few steps away.

The final fixture has been confirmed as France and Croatia with the match take place at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides come in fine form from the knockout stages.

France have won all of their games in regular time while Croatia have pushed into extra time and won two important fixtures on penalties.

In the semi finals, France faced Belgium while Croatia faced England.

Other than their match against Argentina, France have a very bland world cup run with majority of their wins only coming from one goal.

Even against Belgium, a single Samuel Umtiti goal decided the game early for Les Bleus.

They have a star-studded line up who do well on the field but it all comes down to the matter of converting chances.

Kylian Mbappe is by far France’s best player showing threat with his pace on the ball.

Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba’s support in midfield have helped to bolster the Blue attack as the right mid has moved freely in the tournament.

For Croatia, a combination of their midfield and attack accompanied with tight-knitted tactics has helped them bounce back in the tournament.

Ivan Perisic, Mario Mandzukic and Sime Vrsaljko all have performed in top quality under the helm of Luka Modric.

Perisic has been a threat for the Blazers not only making the runs but bagging two goals and one assist during the tournament.

His wizardry on the wing has motivated Croatia’s attack while Mandzukic has supplied deadly finishes for the side.

Vrsaljko has done great on the counter by providing key balls from the flank while Modric has balanced out the rest of the team.

Croatia’s disadvantage is probably their centre halves in Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren.

Though strong, the players are liable to drawing bookings in important moments of the game.

Lovren has been rough in the last two fixtures and needs to have composure in order for his team to pull through.

Didier Deschamps must change his tactics in order for France to prevail.

A more attacking style of football would see Mbappe and Griezmann in their best form.

By the looks of it, France look like the clear winners but Croatia can pull through if the sides go on to extra time.

 

Source of Image: @equipedefrance (Twitter)