The final of the Football World Cup is upon us and many fans would say it is too soon.
But the whole world will be watching when France take on Croatia.
Final Day be Like ????????????#FRA VS #CRO pic.twitter.com/UboeYOAT3X
— ᴍᴀʜɪᴍᴀ ᴊʏᴏᴛʜɪ (@MahimaJyothi) July 13, 2018
Some images of the dramatic celebration of Croatia's second goal against England during the semi final of the world cup #FifaWorldCup2018 #EnglandvsCroatia #CRO #CROvENG #CROENG #RussiaWorldCup2018 #Russia2018 #Rusia2018 #Nikon #CroaciaInglaterra pic.twitter.com/4wTwObDT8t
— Yuri Cortez (@YuriYurisky) July 12, 2018
Both teams have not had an easy road to the final, and each toppled their fair share of football giants, but the only game that matters now is this one.
Croatia goes into their first ever final as the only team to have won all their matches so far in the tournament (France drew 0–0 to Denmark), but the French are the favourites.
N’Golo Kanté – the happiest man at the World Cup.#WorldCup #FRA pic.twitter.com/yueB3K8Hmt
— Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) July 13, 2018
It is a sort of David vs Goliath encounter: A side overflowing with talent against the new boys who have shown incredible determination to get this far. That is not to say Croatia does not have talent.
Spare a thought for Nikola Kalinic – the Croatian player who refused to come on against Nigeria, and got sent home from the World Cup
His #CRO teammate are now in the final of the 2018 #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/m929Ps2aVm
— SportyBet Nigeria (@sportybetng) July 12, 2018
Big names like Modric, Rakitic, Mandzukic and Subasic are well known the world over, and their opposite numbers will be wary of them.
But France has Mbappe, Griezmann, Pogba and Lloris.
France won the World Cup in 1998 and one gets the sense the current crop desperately wants a win again, while the Croats have already made their country proud by reaching the final.
Do the Croats want to win this match as much as their opponents?
And even if they do, surely the energy spent going to extra time in their last three games will take its toll now?
France has been solid in defence and attack in nearly all their games.
Tactically, they have the edge, but such is the nature of soccer that anything can happen on the day.
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