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Moscow: A month later and 63 games later, the 2018 World Cup culminates on Sunday as a young French team led by Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann seek to win the trophy for the second time when they face Croatia in Moscow
This is a final that few people could have predicted four weeks ago, while competition in Russia was just beginning.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have all returned home. Thus, the traditional powers of the international game – Germany, Brazil and Argentina.
Instead, it's a talented French team with the second youngest team in the tournament, epitomized by lightning Mbappe, who faces a Croatian team inspired by Luka Modric, no doubt the best midfielder of the world right now.
Perhaps many neutrals will be disappointed that he has not clashed with two real giants of the game, or that there is no South American presence [19659002] It is the second time that Brazil, Germany, Italy or Argentina do not dispute the final, after the victory of Spain over the Netherlands. Low in 2010.
A tournament that will be remembered for the colorful presence of hordes of Latin American fans have a final between two European teams after the continent has exercised power in the latter stages.
But it is still the final of the World Cup, and for France there is the possibility of joining Argentina and Uruguay g the trophy for the second time, after 1998
At the time, Didier Deschamps was the captain. Now he is the coach, and he can become the third man to win the trophy as a player and manager, according to Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer
"The Game of our lives: [19659002] "A World Cup final is like a childhood dream come true," said midfielder Blaise Matuidi
"We are so close to the trophy that we want to touch it. "
Beaten on penalties by Italy in the 2006 final, France is increasingly hungry after the failure of its defeat in as a host against Portugal in the final of Euro 2016.
we know what it is to play in the final, "added Matuidi.
Half of the Team from France is different now, however, with Mbappe having burst onto the scene.Its explosive performance in the 4-3 win over Argentina in the last 16 years has umined the competition, but apart from that, France played as a team of Deschamps, putting the emphasis on defense
. and Peru by the odd goal and draw with Denmark in the only scoreless game of the tournament.
They have since proved too strong for the Argentines, Uruguay and Belgium, and they are rightly favorites in the final, which is a repeat of the 1998 semi-final.
At the time, two goals from Lilian Thuram were pouring a Croatian team that was playing its first World Cup as an independent nation. Twenty years later, this camp has written its own history and the nation of just over four million people is the smallest to reach the final since Uruguay in 1950.
Depleting :
After winning all three They outclbaded Denmark and Russia on penalties and beat England in overtime in the semifinals.
Zlatko Dalic's team was grueling and grueling.
"We have taken the difficult road, probably we will be the only team at a World Cup to have played eight games to reach a final if you add up every minute," admitted Dalic. It's a unique opportunity in life, it has been difficult for us but I'm sure we will find strength and motivation. "
The big, cavernous Luzhniki, by a loop in the Moscow River, will be the scene of the drama, but the biggest celebrations will take place in the streets of the
And the Croats are convinced that the biggest part of the world will support them
"I have this feeling that hundreds of millions of people will take root on Sunday," said Ivan Rakitic.
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