France vs Croatia World Cup Final - July 15, 2018

France vs Croatia - Competition: World Cup (Finale)
Date: 15 July 2018 - Kick-off Time: 17:00 CET
Venue: Luzhniki Stadium

France team have reached a second consecutive major tournament final, after they lost to Portugal at Euro 2016. Les Bleus are aiming to bring him the trophy they previously won in 1998, having also lost the 2006 final on penalties to Italy. Deschamps' men reached the World Cup final by beating Belgium 1-0 in the semifinals, courtesy of a Samuel Umtiti header. They have also beaten Argentina (4-3) and Uruguay (2-0) in the knockout stage. In the group stage, France beat Australia (2-1) and Peru (1-0), and recorded a goalless draw against Denmark (0-0). As a result, they have kept 4 clean sheet in 6 games. 

Deschamps can name an unchanged side from the semi-final win over Belgium as Blaise Matuidi should be fit to start despite going off injured last time out. Olivier Giroud should keep his place up front despite he is yet to break the duck. The Chelsea striker will be supported by Kylian Mbappè and Antoine Griezmann, with Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kantè anchoring the midfield. Djibril Sidibe is still a doubt for les Bleus but Benjamin Pavard is safe to start at right-back, forming an unchanged backline alongside Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane and Lucas Hernandez.

Croatia denied England's bid to reach the final for the first time since 1966, knocking off the Three Lions 2-1 in extra time. They are the first team in World Cup history to go to extra-time in all three of their knockout matches en route to the final, with two of them decided by penalty shootouts (against Russia and Denmark). That leaves doubt as to whether they have the energy to endure another marathon matchup. Interestingly, all three of their knockout games have finished 1-1. Hence, after two victories without conceding - 2:0 over Nigeria and 3:0 over Argentina - the Blazers have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last four matches. Croatia have never beaten France in five previous meetings, although the last two encounters have ended in a draw.

Mandzukic should also ready despite going off with cramp in extra-time against England. Ivan Strinic is also likely to recover after limping off in that match. Marcelo Brozovic should retain his spot as pivot in the middle of the park, while Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric, Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic will feature from the off as offensive midfielders behind Mandzukic. Milan Badelj and Mateo Kovacic provide useful midfield options, Andrej Kramaric is a viable alternative upfront. Sime Vrsaljko remarkably recovered from a knee injury in time to start against England and will continue at right-back here, forming a four man backline with Dejan Lovren, Damagoj Vida and Ivan Strinic.

Probable lineups:

France: Lloris – Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez – Pogba, Kante – Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi – Giroud.

Croatia: Subasic – Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic – Rakitic, Brozovic – Rebic, Modric, Perisic – Mandzukic.

 

Categories: Football Highlights, World Cup 2018