- France was one of the tournament favourites, with most talented squad in World Cup. With FIFA ranking 7, odds were 6.5 before World Cup started.
- Nobody had given Croatia a chance to win World Cup. With FIFA ranking 20, odds were 33 before World Cup started.
- Whoever wins today, battle for midfield to decide the fate of the final.
France will meet Croatia in the World Cup final, to be played at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow. They beat formidable sides en-route to the final. France won in straight games, within regulated 90 minutes of the game in knockout stage, trailing only once for eight minutes against round of 16 match against Argentina. Croatia played three extra-time and two tie-breakers in knockout stage and they made a come-back in all these three matches to equalise and eventually win the match.
France have young, yet talented and most valued (as per transfer-market figures) team in this World Cup. This young brigade valued three times than their rival in World Cup final, at 1.29 billion USD. Croatia team is valued 432 millions USD, with Rakitic valued most at 58 millions USD and surprisingly Modric ranked 6th in the team (29 millions USD). For France, Mbappe (140 million USD), Griezmann (128 millions USD) and Pogba(105 millions USD) are valued highest.
Many predicted, its going to be easy run for France in World Cup final. The odds against France to win, draw and Croatia to win are 1.95, 3.30 and 4.75 respectively, which can be interpreted as France and Croatia have 65% and 35% chances to win the Cup. The odds are overwhelmingly favouring France, but it should not be forgotten, this World Cup saw many favourites, rushing home early and many experts, eating their world following day.
Young and talented France will be pitted against experience and never-say-die Croatia in today’s final. We can expect an intense battle for superiority in midfield between two teams, more specifically between Luca Modric (the No. 10 of Real Madrid and National Side) to Paul Pogba (the Manchester United mid-fielder, who got new life in National side). Forwards and Defenders would look better if they get assistance from their respective midfield players. Hope to see a great battle between veteran Modric (height 1.72m) and young Pogba (height 1.91m), who have orchestrated their respective teams, played box to box, defended when required, forwarded final pass for goal, tackled opponent players to scuttle attack, scored at vital time of the match and cup and provided leadership in midfield and to their respective teams. Pogba, who was inconsistent at Manchester United this season and had some rough edges, has Didier Deschamps to take him through and an united France team behind him. And, How can we forget, within 14 minutes of missing a penalty in regular time, Luca Mordic stepping in to take penalty once again in tie-breaker against Denmark in round of 16!!!
