drd23 Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 France vs CroatiaLuzhniki Stadium, Moscow. 15th July at 15:00UTC (11am US EDT) The time for the Final has arrived, pitting pre-tournament fancies, France, against every football hipsters' dark horse in Croatia. France Results: Australia 2–1 [Griezmann, Behich (o.g.)] Peru 1–0 [Mbappé] Denmark 0–0 R16 Argentina 4–3 [Griezmann, Pavard, Mbappé (2)] QF Uruguay 2–0 [Varane, Griezmann] SF Belgium 1–0 [Umtiti] Why France Can Win There are a number of factors that could see France win their second World Cup: Their squad quality - as has been well documented, the French squad is the most valuable in the entire tournament, with even their bench worth more than all but five starting XIs that have appeared in Russia A number of potential match winners - teenage sensation Kylian Mbappé has played very well this tournament and received a lot of attention following his demolition of the Argentinian defense thanks to his blistering speed and fancy footwork, but he's not the only one who could win the game off his own boot. Paul Pogba when on song is a match winner and Antoine Griezmann won the team multiple games at the Euros two years ago. Their defensive organisation - a somewhat neglected aspect of their team, they've managed four clean sheets in six games this tournament thanks to a combination of their talent, some superb saves by captain Lloris and their mentality that sees even star strikers like Griezmann working hard in defense. A fresher team Croatia Results: Nigeria 2-0 [Etebo (o.g.), Modrić ] Argentina 3-0 [Rebić, Modrić , Rakitic] Iceland 2-1 [Badelj, Perišić] R16 Denmark 1-1 AET (3-2p) [Mandžukić] QF Russia 2-2 AET (4-3p) [Kramarić, Vida] SF England 2-1 AET [Perišić, Mandžukić] Why Croatia Can Win Two words - Luka Modrić. He is arguably the world best central midfielder and one of the leading contenders for winning the Golden Ball, the tournament's best player award. He's also one of the main reason's why Croatia have been one of the best and most comfortable teams in possession. They've also got a "never say die" attitude that few teams can replicate as exemplified by the fact that they've won two penalty shootouts and another game in extra time in their three knockout games so far. Working against them is the potential for tiredness, having effectively completed an extra full game compared to their opponents due to extra time played. Also, their midfield will need to deal with N'Golo "two players" Kanté doing his best to break up any attacking moves the Vatreni will try to put together. Prediction I think the quality of the French team and their defensive organisation will be too much for Croatia in the end. France 2 Croatia 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankee0724 Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 It's been decided. Croatia wins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKTexans Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 I've got France. I think they are solid defensively and have the pace to get at the Croatia back four. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drd23 Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 France expected to start with an unchanged line-up. Periic likely to play for Croatia (after there were some doubts a few days ago about a potential hamstring injury), but Strinic is expected to miss with a groin injury. Pivaric is expected to start in this place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kempus Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 I'm pulling for France. I want to see Lloris lifting the World Cup trophy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom cody Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 France. 2 nil over Croatia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drd23 Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 Neither team is changed from their respective semi finals. Strinic is fit and retains his starting LB spot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drd23 Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drd23 Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 A couple of massive achievements given the quality of players that have gone before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drd23 Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 Zagreb is going to go off if they manage to win this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BullsandBroncos Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 I wouldn't mind seeing Croatia take this for being underdogs but at the same time, I feel as though they could only do so on penalties.Cant see them scoring more than 1. France's Defense is probably world best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heimdallr Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 Croatia looking good in the first 10 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BullsandBroncos Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 Croatia seem superior right now just having more of the "want to." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilenFroggen Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEvans Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 2 minutes ago, Heimdallr said: Croatia looking good in the first 10 minutes. Absolutely. France have been pinned back and havent been able to work the ball out through the press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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