SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2018 18 The FIFAultimate World Cup Final 2018 clash France Croatia July 15 CroatiaCoach stand between Mbappe’s FranceCoach and World Cup glory Didier Deschamps HEAD-TO-HEAD Zlatko Dalic Captain Captain AFP | Moscow Hugo Lloris Neymar have all gone home.France So 3 rememberedCroatia 0 for the colourful that we wantLuka to touch Modric it. This is They have since proved too hausting run for Zlatko Dalic’s have the traditional powers of presence of hordes of Latin the game of our lives.” strong for the Argentines, Uru- team, and they must rouse them- WORLD CUP RECORD WORLD CUP RECORD month on and 63 games the international game -- Ger- AmericanDraws 2 supporters has a final Beaten on penalties by Italy in guay and Belgium, and they are selves for one last effort. later, theW33 2018D13 WorldL19 many, Brazil and Argentina. between two European sides the 2006W11 final,D4 France’sL7 hunger rightly favourites in the final, “We took the difficult path, Cup reachesAppearances: its climax 15 Instead it is a gifted French after the continent exerted its is all the greaterAppearances: after 5 the agony which is a repeat of the 1998 probably we will be the only A Best finish: Winner (1998) Recent Best finish: Third place (1998) today as a young2014 France performance side side with the second-youngestmeetings power in the latter stages. of their defeat2014 performance as hosts against semi-final. team at a World Cup to have spearheaded by KylianQuarter-final Mbappe squad at the tournament,2011 emFrance- 0-0ButCroatia this is still the World Cup Portugal in theGroup Euro stage 2016 final. Back then, two Lilian Thuram played eight games to get to a 2018: Topped Group C before 2018: Unbeaten in Group D 2004 Croatia 2-2 France and Antoine Griezmannconfident displays look in to knock-out bodied by the lightning-quick final, and for France there is the to“It secure serves top spot. a lessonDispatched to us, and it goals sunk a Croatia team play- final if you tally up all the min- stages against Argentina, Uruguay France unbeaten in five meetings with Croatia, host Russia before reaching final win the trophy forand strong the Belgiumsecond team Mbappe, who faceincluding a Croatian 2-1 victory inpossibility 1998 World Cup to semi-final join Argentina andwith means extra-time we victory know over Englandwhat it is to play ing in their first World Cup as utes,” admitted Dalic. time when they take on Croatia team inspired by Luka Modric, Uruguay in winning the trophy in a final,” added Matuidi. an independent nation. Twenty “It is a once-in-a-lifetime op- in Moscow. arguablyFRENCH the FfinestLAIR midfielder inROAD for TO FtheINAL second time, afterCROATIAN 1998. CREATIVITYHalf of France’s team is differ- years on, this side have written portunity. It has been difficult Third final, after W AustraliaFIFA 2-1WorldMatch 1 CupW Nigeria Final2-0 2018In first final of It is a final very few people the world1998 at vithectory moment. Back then, Didier Deschampsmajor tournamen t ent now, however, with Mbappe their own history and the nation for us but I am sure we will find and loss to W Peru 1-0 Match 2 W Argentina 3-0 as independent could have anticipated fourFrance PerhapsItaly inmany 2006. neutralsD Denmark will0-0 Matchwas 3theW captain.Iceland 2-1Nowna hetion. “isGolde then having burstCroatia onto the scene. His of just over four million people the strength and motivation.” July 15 weeks ago, when the compeCoach- be disappointedTeam inspired thatW Argentinait has not4-3 Lastcoach, 16 andW Denmark he can1-1* becomeGeneration” just of st arsexplosive performanceCoach in the is the smallest to reach the final The great, cavernous Luzhni- Didier Deschamps by teenage includes Ivan Ratikic, Zlatko Dalic W HEAD-TO-WHEAD tition in Russia was justCaptain come downstar Kytoli aan clashUruguay between2-0 theQF third manRussia to win2-2* theMario trophy Mandzuki c 4-3 win over CaptainArgentina in the since Uruguay in 1950. ki, by a bend in the Moscow Riv- beginning. Hugotwo Lloris genuineMbappe giants (left) WofBelgium the game,1-0 FranceasSF a 3 playerW England Croatiaand 0a 2-1manager,† and Luka after Modric (righlastt) 16 lit upLuka theModric competition, er, will be the scene of the dra- † Lionel Mes- WORLDor C UPthat RECORD there is no South Ameri- Mario Zagallo*Penalties 3-2,and Pens Franz 4-3, After extraBeck time - but apartWORLD from CUP RECORD that France have Exhausting ma, but the biggest SHOOTING BOOTS: Goals EYE FOR GOAL: TotalDraws shots 2 PLAYMAKERS: Passes W33 D13 L19 W11 D4 L7 si, Cristiano can presence.Mbappe 3 Perisicenbauer.20 Modric 368 played like a Deschamps side, After winning all three group celebrations will Ronaldo Appearances:It is 15 just the second time that with the emphasisAppearances: 5 on defence. games, outclassing Argentina, take place on the Best finish: Winner (1998)Griezmann 3 GriezmannRecent‘The game19 of Kanteour lives’ 317 Best finish: Third place (1998) and 2014 performancenone of Brazil,Mandzukic Germany,2 ItalyRakitic meetingsor 14 Rakitic 309 Les Bleus2014 performance laboured through they have beaten Denmark and streets of the win- Quarter-final 2011 France 0-0 Croatia Group stage 2018: Topped Group C before 2018: Unbeaten in Group D Argentina Perisichave made2 the final,Giroud2004 “ACroatia World14 2-2 FranceCupV aranefinal, it’s276 a bit like their group, beating Australia Russia on penalties and defeat- ning country. confident displays in knock-out to secure top spot. Dispatched stagesafter against Argentina,Spain’s ModricUruguay win over2 the NethFranceRebic- unbeatena boyhood13 in five meetings dream withLovren Croatia, coming275 true,” andhost Russia Peru before by reaching odd final goal and draw- ed England in extra-time in the and strong Belgium team including 2-1 victory in 1998 World Cup semi-final with extra-time victory over England erlands in 2010. COMPETITIONsaid S TAmidfielderTISTICS Blaise Matuidi. ing with Denmark in the only semi-finals. FATIGUE FACTOR 10FRENCH FLAIR Goals scoredROAD TO FINAL 12 CROATIAN CREATIVITY A tournamentThird that final, a ftwiller be “We are so close to theIn ftrophyirst final of goalless game of the tournament. It has been a gruelling, ex - Croatia have played 4 W AustraliaGoals 2-1againstMatch 1 W Nigeria 2-05 90 mins more football 1998 victory major tournament 75 and loss to W Peru Total1-0 shotsMatch 2 W Argentina 1003-0 as independent than France, with Italy in 2006. D Denmark 0-0 Match 3 W Iceland 2-1 nation. “Golden 24 Shots on target 26 three periods of Team inspired W Argentina 4-3 Last 16 W Denmark 1-1* Generation” of stars extra-time and two by teenage Passes completedof Soviet Union. Hosted 1980in cOlympicludes Ivan Ratikic, 2331 W Uruguay 2-0 QF W Russia 27572-2* penalty shoot-ouFRANCEts star Kylian Mario Mandzukic CROATIA 19 Corners Today34 † 6:00 PM Mbappe (left) W Belgium 1-0 SF W England 2-1 and Luka Modric (right) *Penalties 3-2, Pens 4-3, †After extra time Didier DeschampsSHOOTING is BnotOOTS: GoalsexpectedEYE FOR GOAL : Total shots PLAYMAKERS: Passes MATCHBALL:Croatia should also name an Mbappe 3 Perisic 20 Modric 368 TELSTAR 2018 Games and 2008 Champions League final Final to make any changesGriezmann from3 theGriezmann side 19 Kante 317 Modern interpretationunchanged XI from the side that LUZHNIKI STADIUM Mandzukic 2 RakiticBuilt in 1950s14 as flagshipRakitic stadium 309 of iconic Telstar used that beat Belgium in the semi-finals.Opened: 1956 Capacity: 80,000 from 1970-74, basedstarted against England, al- Perisic 2 Giroud 14 Varane 276 Strinic on similar carcass to DjibrilFrance Sidibe is Modricstill a 2doubt Rebicfor Les13 Lovren France275 vs though there will be some 2014 Brazuca Bleus but Benjamin PavardC OMPETITIONis safe STA toTISTICS tired legs. ROLL CALL FATIGUE FACTOR 10 Goals scored 12 OF C start at right-back.Croatia have played 4 Goals against 5 Mario Mandzukic came off against 90 mins more football 75 Total shots 100 Croatia EuropeanBlaise Matuidithan Fran avoidedce, with significant England with cramp but should recover teams extend three periods of 24 Shots on target 26 harmPeri sinic a challengeextra-time and two 2331 with EdenPasses Haz completed-of Soviet Union. Hosted2757 1980 Olympic in time to start today’s World Cup final to fourth penalty shoot-outs 19 Corners 34 successiveard that forced him off, but should at Moscow against France. World CupBrazil Pavard Mbappe MATCHBALL: be fine to start today. TELSTAR 2018 Ivan Strinic also limped off on Wednesday Games and1930 2008 ChampionsUruguay LeagueHost: final Uruguay France Modern interpretation LUZHNIKI STADIUM 1934 Italy OlivierItaly Giroud should keep his placeBuilt in 1950s as flagship stadium of iconic Telstar used night but should be fine to start at left- Brazil South Korea/Japan Opened: 1956 Capacity: 80,000 1938 Italy France from 1970-74, based Italy up front despite a poor performance on similar carcass to back this weekend. France Strinic 1998 1950 Uruguay SpainBrazil 1974SouthW. Africa Germany W. GermanyGermany 2014 Brazuca 1954 W. Germany Switzerlandlast 1978timeArgentina out. Argentina 2002 Germany ROLL CALL 1958 Brazil Sweden 1982OFItaly C Spain 2006 Source: FIFA Pictures: Getty Images Ivan Perisic 1962 Brazil Chile 1986EuropeanArgentina Mexico 2010 Kylian teams extend 1966 England England 1990 West GermanyPerisic© GRAPHICItaly NEWS 2014 Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow Mbappe1970 Brazil Mexico 1994toBrazil fourth United States successive World CupBrazil Pavard Mbappe 1930 Uruguay Host:France Uruguay Sunday July 15 1500 Moscow 1934 Italy Brazil ItalySouth