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MOSCOW – We have reached the last day of an extraordinary World Cup, that of the archives of the history of football.
FIFA, the international governing body of sport, exaggerates everything that comes under its authority. but on Friday, his charming Swiss president, Gianni Infantino, was on something when he called it a "fantastic, incredible and incredible World Cup."
The well managed tournament blessed the masses with a spellbinding theater, a few failures and 20 goals in advance or equalizer after the 80th minute. There was a catchy race by the low ranking host team, the early defacement of the defending champion, the fall of the Titans, the Viking Clap and an unconventional final four.
The moment will crown Sunday at the Luzhniki stadium between the teams. with disparate stories not only about football, but just about everything.
On the sporting side, France has won championships at all levels of men's football. Croatia, a small and young nation that has made a disproportionate number of world-class players, has not won anything.
[With World Cup run, Croatia adds to sports glory that would make far bigger nations boast]
But after a tournament of 63 matches in 12 sites spread over four weeks in 11 cities and four time zones of the Baltic in the Urals, these two face nearly 80,000 on-site spectators and about 1 billion viewers in front of televisions, laptops and smartphones.
"There is nothing more beautiful," said Saturday the French coach Didier Deschamps. a World Cup final. "
Deschamps should know.He was captain of the first and only French league team in 1998 and, with a win here, would join the Brazilian Mario Zagallo and the German Franz Beckenbauer as the only men to raise the Famous player and coach trophy.
Les Bleus de Deschamps are the favorites, but not definitively.Packed with elite players, they left the public wanting more – a gap that rests in much of Deschamps, former blue-collar midfielder, and his cautious approach.Along with Kylian Mbappe, the electrifying 19-year-old striker, France remained in third gear for most of the tournament. [19659010] Deeply focused on price, the French did not let external forces affect them.
On Saturday, goalkeeper Hugh Lloris emphasized the importance of staying in the "bubble". [19659012]"We have take up the challenge, "he added stoically. "The challenge of tomorrow is bigger."
Contrasting the calculated approach of Deschamps, the Croats have embraced their historic push and seem completely comfortable before their first appearance in the final and their attempt to become the smallest country to win the title since Uruguay in 1950.
"We can not be more proud when we see how much joy we have brought," said coach Zlatko Dalic. "Win or lose, there will be a seismic event."
It has already been seismic. After three consecutive victories, Croatia overcame three consecutive deficits by beating Denmark and Russia on penalties and England in overtime. "Lloris said of his enemy." They have players of great individual talents. This has been the case for many generations. They also have an incredible collective strength. We will have to play a perfect match. "
Croatian concerns about fatigue – an extra 90 minutes on three knockout matches and one less day off – have been set aside while tired legs Pride.
" There are 4, 5 million players on the field, "said midfielder Ivan Rakitic quoting the estimated population of Croatia." We will carry each other. The unity, the pride, it is incredible. "
Given the recent history of the World Cup, Sunday's match may very well require extra time.In 2006, France lost to Italy on penalties. the next two finals, the Spanish Andres Iniesta and the German Mario Goetze became national heroes by scoring 30-minute goals against the Netherlands and Argentina respectively
Despite the small the land and the people of Croatia, a football nation emerging from nowhere, having maintained the development and development of talent since its departure from Yugoslavia in 1991, the country has built up a quality capable of progressing in a major tournament.
He reached the semi-finals of the World Cup before losing to France, but in the following years, the Croatians failed to qualify or lose in the group stage. .
Traveling to Russia was not easy either. Dalic took control in October after a 1-1 draw against Finland.
"He came into play in a very difficult moment," said midfielder Luka Modric. "Our qualification was in doubt, he spoke to us and gave us confidence in ourselves."
Victory in Ukraine and victory over Greece in a two-legged playoff match.
And like the Russian campaign "It's going to be a full house [and] that the whole world is looking at," said Dalic. You go out and play your best football. Do not let anything get lost. Quite simply, it is the greatest moment in the life of everyone of us. "
Winning was going to take six extraordinary weeks for Modric, the leader, who won a third consecutive UEFA Champions League title with Real Madrid on May 26. France has already faced three exceptional strikers in the knockout stage. Argentine Lionel Messi, Uruguayan Luis Suarez and Eden Hazard of Belgium, followed by Modric Deschamps described as "all this work."
The Blues have never lost to Croatia in five games, but, according to Dalic, "the tradition is here to be demolished Tomorrow is the final of the World Cup.We do not mind that is on the other side of the field.We want the world We want the whole world to take root for us. "
More coverage of The Post World Cup:
John Strong was once an" American football nerd by myself . Now he's calling the World Cup final. Belgium claims third place with a 2-0 win against England
Opinion: The limits of statistics in football and the World Cup
FIFA could extend the World Cup to 48 teams in 2022, ahead of schedule
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