Croatia Target First Title against Favourites France
Today’s final game of the 2018 World Cup between Croatia and France here at the 80,000-seating capacity Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow is evoking memories of 1998 semi final clash between the two gladiators on parade this evening. Twenty years ago, Croatia, attended her first World Cup after declaring independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and fought a war of liberation till 1995. Technically, Croatia had barely three years of serious preparations before arriving in France for her debut at the global football showpiece. Croatia made history despite losing in the semi final to France. In that epic semi final clash two decades ago at the Stade de France in St Denis, the first half ended goalless. The second half sprang into life with Croatia’s top goal scorer Davor Suker firing the Vatreni into the lead. Croatia’s advantage lasted only a minute though, as defender Lilian Thuram stole possession on top of Croatia’s penalty area before lashing home his first goal in a France shirt. Incredibly, Thuram was not finished yet. He scored the winning goal in the 70th minute making it 2-1 with a curling shot that any striker would be proud of. That was how France ended the fairytale run of the new independent nation with this reporter in the Media Tribune that breezy evening in France. Fast forward 20 years after, Croatia and France are here again not battling for the ticket to the final but aiming for the ultimate trophy. Will the battle-weary Croats succumb again like they did that night in St Denis or will they seek to avenge that defeat with a bigger price? Can Croatia do better than their heroes of ‘98 - or will it be Didier Deschamps’ day once again in world football’s biggest game? Is Croatia’s Coach, Zlatko Dalic, having nightmare over statistics pointing out that the Vatreni have never beaten France before in any competitive? Speaking at yesterday’s prematch briefing, Dalic insisted that statistics and record are there to be broken. He insisted that Croatia have nothing to worry about going into this evening’s grand finale. “Statistics and records are here to be broken. It does not matter who is our opponent in the final. It is our goal to give our best, the whole world will be watching Croatia. We came here to enjoy thegameandtowinit. Myplayers have played a lot of matches in the Champions League - including finals - but this is the biggest game of their careers,” stressed Dalic who unlike Deschamps never had the opportunity to play for Croatia.