France rectifies the errors of Euro 2016 in the final of the World Cup: Paul Pogba | Football News

MOSCOW: France is determined not to make the same mistakes as two years ago by losing the final of Euro 2016 to Croatia for the biggest football prize, said Thursday midfielder Paul Pogba.

France will face the Croats in the World Cup final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday, but they reject the favorite that cost them dearly two years ago, he said.

The French defeated Germany in the semifinals of Euro 2016 by hosting a meeting in Paris against Portugal, then outsider, who surprised them 1-0 in extra time for win the continental title.

"We are aware of the situation, we do not want to make the same mistakes that two years ago we want to work for that, give all we have to bring back this Cup," said Pogba to journalists.

"I think that at the Euro, we thought it was already done, the mentality was no longer the same as now, I can not lie when we beat Germany, we thought it was the final, I do not want it to happen again.

"Against Portugal, we thought we had won it before the game started. It will not happen again."

France improved throughout the tournament and beat Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the round of 16 without the need for extra time or penalties.

Croatia needed penalty kicks against Denmark in the round of 16 and against Russia in the quarter-finals. They then came from a goal against England on Wednesday to earn 2-1 in added time.

This is not the sign of a team in trouble, according to Pogba, but who has a lot of talent.

"The Croatians had a very difficult match and they were late, but they are mentally very strong, there are two teams in the final, a Cup and there are 90 minutes more.

"For us, we are not the favorites, we stay as we are since the beginning of the tournament, we have no doubt, we play together, it's our strength, we run after some thing and we will do everything to succeed. "

France, world champion in 1998 after defeating Croatia in the semi-finals, is in its third World Cup final. This is an unknown territory for Croatia.

"Of course the Croats want the star (for having won the title), they ran well, they want to win, but I do not have a star either, although I'm not sure. there is one on my shirt.

Pogba said that if Croatian midfielder Luka Modric was their driving force, the French plan would not be limited to stopping the playmaker of Real Madrid.
"The Croats are not only Modric, they have (Mario) Mandzukic, (Ivan) Rakitic and (Ivan) Perisic," said Pogba.

"Even their defenders are outstanding players, I do not think there's a fair plan for Modric, the plan is to win the game."