Two dreams, one goal
A TALENTED CROATIA MEETS A STAR-STUDDED FRANCE IN WORLD CUP FINAL TODAY
No one expected Croatia to make it to the World Cup final. But having done so, with a convincing win over England in the semis, Zlatko Dalic's side are now determined to leave their imprint on the final against France.
Croatia has got a good reason to feel confident: there are some very talented players in their squad, including Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic, with the latter having scored the winner against England.
Modric and Mandzukic are capable of combining to deliver a dramatic outcome, even against the star studded France. Mandzukic's prowess in front of goal, in addition to his excellent technique, makes him a significant threat to the French defence.
All said and done, it is set to be an intense and thrilling encounter, with both sides possessing some of European football's biggest stars.
Kylian Mbappe, especially, needs watching: he is hoping to fire France to their second ever World Cup triumph on Sunday. The other shining star could be Manchester United's Paul Pogba.
France are the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy at the Luzhniki Stadium. But sometimes the burden of expectations can get to your nerves, as England found out to their misery in the semis.
Croatia, to their credit, played a very tough match against England. They did not give up. They were losing 1-0 and came back.