SOC: World Cup Finals Preview
France (5-1-0): France has trailed for only nine minutes during the entire World Cup in six matches. Croatia trailed for 63 minutes just in their semifinal win over England. France is 5-1-0 during the tournament, while Croatia is 6-0-0, but two of their victories have come in a penalty shootout. The Frenchmen should win this game. Unfortunately, things aren't always that simple. France will rely on a handful of players as usual. Antoine Griezmann has three goals and two assists, and Kylian Mbappe has three goals. They both have to play well in order for France to put pressure on the Croatian defense. N'Golo Kante has been their most consistent player and will be tasked with trying to halt the great Luka Modrić.
France began their World Cup quest a couple of weeks ago against Australia and didn't look all that good, but in the end, it was enough to come away with a 2-1 win. Griezmann scored on a penalty and Paul Pogba knocked in the game-winner in the 81st minute. In their second outing, they slipped past Peru, 1-0, and clinched a spot in the Knockout Round. Because of that, it meant their third and final Group Stage game was a moot point. They tied Denmark, 0-0, and advanced to face Argentina in the Round of 16. After defeating Argentina behind two goals from Mbappe, France made quick work of Uruguay, and then went on to oust Belgium in the semifinals. If France defeats Croatia, it'll be their second World Cup championship, and first since 1998.
Croatia (6-0-0): Since the start of the tournament, Croatia has been a dark horse wining all their group games, especially a surprising 3-0 win against a soccer powerhouse in Argentina, who really needed a win. Throughout the whole game Croatia looked dominant. Their Round of 16 game against Denmark ended in shootouts and they won by a hair. The next game versus Russia also went to shootouts thanks that a late goal in extra time by a header from Russia's Fernandes. And they won the shootout 4-3 as well. Next was the much anticipated semifinal match against England. The Englishmen struck early on a free kick from Tripper in the 5th minute. It seemed to be England's game until Perisic hit an equalizer with an amazing touch.
And then in extra time, Mandzukic hit the game-winning goal to take them to the final against France. In order for Croatia to pull off another upset, they will need everyone to show up (from Mandzukic to their star captain Modrić. They will need to slow down Griezmann, Mbappe, and Pogba, who are dangerous attackers for France. If they take it to another extra time, I don't think they will be able to win but if they are able to score early that would put France on their heels. They haven't trailed for much of the World Cup which would put them in an unfamiliar situation. If Croatia is able to do that, then they will be able to bring the World Cup home for the first time. And in doing so, would make them the smallest country to ever do so.
Post: France (2-0)
Stoll: France (3-1)
Taylor: Croatia (2-1)
Wejinya: France (2-1)
Photo Credit: Metro.
