THE GAME – Last act of "Russia 2018": France-Croatia: this time it will be a final!

The final of this World Cup 2018 is known and will oppose Sunday, in Moscow (15h GMT), the Team of France to that of Croatia. The Blues will go favorites in a duel that will remind many the 1998 semi-final. But that will be another story.

One certainty: Lilian Thuram will not be able to put on his clothes as an unlikely hero. Twenty years later, the Blues will re-cross the road of the talented Croatia. This time, no semi-finals at the Stade de France, nor an outpouring of joy after the most crazy double in the history of French football. It is the step above that the two formations are waiting for: that of the final of a World Cup.

Heroics!
If the Blues were announced as solid outsiders in this World Cup, it was finally the band to Luka Modric who donned these clothes. On Sunday, on the lawn of the magnificent Luzhniki stadium, the French, from the top of their two finals in the World Cup, will go favorites against Croats who had never been to such a party.
France – Croatia. So that's the final of this 2018 World Cup. You have to pinch yourself to believe it. Although smart that could have predicted such an outcome, but both teams were able to pass the tests, not without difficulty, to clear the winding road to this appointment July 15.

Croatia arrives exhausted [19659004] The Blues successively dismissed Argentina, Uruguay, then Belgium by adapting perfectly to the challenges proposed. Almost quietly with regard to the course of their opponents.
The Croatians, they played to be afraid in part of a table more open. After impressing the world in group stage, they trembled against Denmark, then Russia to qualify, on a wire, on penalties. And in the semifinals, as if that was not enough, they decided to put the cover back to capsize in the euphoria in extra time. Systematically going back a goal late, symbol of their strength of character. But physically … It's simple, the men of Zlatko Dalić have played ninety minutes more than the Blues. One more match in sum …
On the historical level, this France – Croatia does not have the flavor of a duel against England or the intoxicating scent of a France – Brazil. Five small games. Three blue victories and two draws. So much for the record. There was of course this July 8, 1998. There was also this 2-2 at the Euro 2004 in group stage. For the rest, friendships without great interest.
Sunday, it will be a different story. A World Cup final is winning. With improbable hero or not. It does not matter. The hardest of the way is done. It remains to pass the last pass before reaching the world peaks. The ones the Blues will want to find at any price. The ones that Croatia dreams of discovering. Those that lead to the star. The world star.