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MOSCOW (AP) – France is the power established with a young team full of speed and skill. Croatia has veterans who have shown that they can never be counted.
The two teams will meet Sunday in the World Cup final, with France qualifying for their second title in their third final in 20 years. Croatia, a country that acceded to independence only in 1991, will play its first match.
"The tradition is here to be demolished," Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic said Saturday. "I'm not interested in the opponent."
Most consider France as a favorite for the match at the Luzhniki stadium, just as it was two years ago when the country's national team faced Portugal in the final of the home European Championship.
But perhaps feeling complacent after defeating Germany in the semi-finals, France has collapsed.
"I do not think it's going to happen again," said Hungarian captain Hugo Lloris, who was very impressive at this year's tournament. "We are far from thinking on our side that we have already achieved the goal."
Lloris was the goalkeeper in this 1-0 defeat in Paris against a Portuguese team that had reached the final after a few overtime wins.
Croatia did the same this year, needing shots on goal to beat Denmark and welcome Russia before beating England in overtime in the semifinals.
Didier Deschamps, France coach, however, made some changes to his team. Fourteen, to be exact, among the 23 players who made up the team two years ago.
Another factor in favor of France is rest. The French had only two days off between the semifinals of Euro 2016 and the final. This time, they have four full days to recover, one more than Croatia.
"A lot has changed," said Lloris. "Especially when it comes to recovery time and preparation."
Croatia has also played a lot more football in its six matches in Russia. With its last three games in overtime, the team played 90 minutes longer than France. There was also the added stress of two shots on goal.
Everything is behind them.
"Now there is no pressure," Dalic said through a translator. "It's just the greatest moment in everyone's life. We came here to enjoy the finale."
FIRST WINNER
Croatia has not beaten France in five matches since joining FIFA as a member federation in 1992.
The first match was the most important – a 2-1 victory for France in the semifinals of the 1998 World Cup at the Stade de France outside Paris.
A group match at Euro 2004 ended in a 2-2 draw, and their last match was a 0-0 draw in March 2011 in Paris.
UNBEATEN TEAMS
Both teams were undefeated in the group stage, and France followed only nine minutes throughout the tournament.
Argentina led 2-1 in the second half during a match in the round of 16. The long-range shot of defender Benjamin Pavard had annihilated him. Kylian Mbappe then exploded for two quick goals in the 4-3 win.
Croatia's 3-0 win over Argentina was an outstanding performance in the group stage. The team has never followed a win over Nigeria and Iceland.
It was different in the knockout rounds. Croatia conceded the opening goal in every match before rallying to advance.
BACK TO LUZHNIKI
Both teams played a match at the Luzhniki stadium until here.
Croatia beat England 2-1 in the field on Wednesday, as France's 0-0 draw against Denmark in their last group match ended with Russian supporters who beat the only scoreless goal of the tournament.
The last two World Cup finals were 0-0 after 90 minutes, and both were settled by one goal in the second half of overtime.
BACK HOME
"Win or lose," said Dalic, "there will be a seismic event in Croatia."
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