The day of glory has arrived. France faces Croatia today in the World Cup final. A top matchup that no one could have predicted a month ago.
The big event is approaching. In a few hours, the 2018 World Cup final will take place at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow (Sunday at 4 PM, watch live on Foot Mercato). In front of thousands of spectators, the French team and Croatia will do everything they can to seize the grail and thus win the second World Cup in their history for the French, and the first for the Vatreni.
If the public and supporters of both countries are hoping to see many goals, both teams will also aim to keep their nets untouched. And two world-class goalkeepers will be present to ensure this role. Hugo Lloris for France and Danijel Subasic for Croatia will also want to shine.
After conceding three goals against Argentina, Lloris was indeed more than decisive against Uruguay. The French goalkeeper made four saves, including a memorable one on a header from Caceres that everyone remembers. A save that allowed the French team to return to the dressing room with a lead. And on Tuesday night against Belgium, he had to remain vigilant, particularly on an attempt by Alderweireld early in the match.
Already crucial during 120 minutes against Denmark in the round of 16, the Croatian goalkeeper secured his team’s spot in the next round by saving three penalty kicks! And in the quarter-finals against Russia, history repeated itself. Pushed once again to a penalty shootout, Croatia relied on a stellar Subasic, who saved two Russian attempts. A true wall, also present during the team’s victory against England on Wednesday night (2-1 after extra time).
France-Croatia is also Subasic against Mbappé, former teammates at AS Monaco, Lovren against Giroud for a duel over 1.90m tall with a sweet scent of Premier League clashes. But the main battle will take place in midfield. Perhaps the key to the match for France, which could extinguish the Croatian play by blocking the Modric/Rakitic duo. Faced with these two La Liga players, Kanté and Pogba have shown great synergy.
Leaders of the Croatian team, Modric and Rakitic have particularly troubled Argentina thanks to their role as “free electrons” in the midfield. But, the French have no reason to be shy. The Kanté-Pogba duo has established itself as one of the strongest in recent years for France in midfield. “We talk a lot, we exchange a lot. He’s really a golden guy,” Paul Pogba said in a press conference about his teammate.
The match will be broadcast starting at 5 PM on TF1.
