A Match To Remember: 2018 FIFA WC Final — France vs Croatia
To close such a great World Cup, in terms of matches, the Final hasn’t let us down. France and Croatia went on to make one of the most entertaining and attack minded World Cup finals in years. With six goals, the 2018 final had as many goals as the last 4 finals summed up (2002, Brazil 2–0 Germany; 2006, Italy 1–1 France; 2010, Spain 1–0 Netherlands a.e.t.; and 2014 Germany 1–0 Argentina a.e.t.)
Even though France was the expected champion against the first-time finalists from Croatia, it was Croatia that started the game pressing and making the French side suffer. The midfield duo of Rakitic and Modric combined smoothly whilst Brozovic would play the more defensive role. In the wings, Vrsaljko would partner Rebic against Matuidi and Lucas Hernandez; on the other side, Strinic would create havoc against Pavard, and the movement from Perisic coming inside would open the left wing for the Croatian full-back.
Croatia, which had played 90 minutes in excess (and had a day less of rest than France) due to playing extra-time in every game since the Round of 16, surprisingly attacked well and made France suffer, especially in the first 30 minutes of the match. The combination of high pressing and midfield domination made even N’Golo Kanté, one of the best French players in midfield, to have a less than remarkable game. France would only have the long balls towards Olivier Giroud — who, just like 1998’s champion Stephane Guivarc’h, went on to be a number 9 that didn’t scored a goal, but helped the team greatly with his defensive effort — .
But the first side to score was France, in their first approach in attack. After a foul close to the box, Griezmann put the ball back in play with a soft cross and it was Mario Mandzukic who accidentally flicked it into his own goal. Ten minutes later the red-checkered side would equalise after a great goal by Ivan Perisic. The same Perisic who, after a corner taken by France, created a penalty after a handball — called out by VAR and signalled then by Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana. Griezmann would make it 2–1 in a tightly matched affair. France would leave Croatia have the ball and try to counterattack.
In the second half Croatia started trying to press but, maybe due to their tired legs, they left more space in defence. Even with that, they created good chances, making Lloris work under the bars, especially after a Perisic shot from the left side. France would find the 3–1 and 4–1 after a fast counterattack. First with Paul Pogba, freer than in the first half, finding a shot from outside the box. Pogba had started the play with a long diagonal ball to Mbappé, who crossed into the box to Griezmann, who went to pass to the same Pogba who shot twice, the first shot blocked, the second in. In the second, Kylian Mbappé appeared in front of the box and shot low and fast against Subasic, making it 4–1 for the Frenchmen.
The game seemed over until a massive error by Hugo Lloris, who went too confident against Mario Mandzukic press and gifted him the 4–2. Croatia would then put some pressure on France but more in their will to fight than in organised way. France then just slowed down the rhythm and tempo and defended well their area to guarantee their second World Cup.
The final made justice to the more solid team in the competition, a French side filled with young talents–plus the proper number of experienced players–that found a way to play and be competitive. Far from an attack minded approach, France played like a real group and contenders from start to end. The Croatian side also have to be honoured, since no one counted on them to get this far. They changed coaches in the repechage to the World Cup and Zlatko Dalic made a great job with one of the most talented Croatian generations of all times. But maybe in the Croatian best game on the tournament, they will feel hard done. Had they not played three extra times, maybe the luck would have gotten on their side.
