A glorious final episode
IT’S all come down to this. After the first ball was kicked on June 14, and after the agony and ecstasy, the goals and saves, the drama and tension, the controversy, emotion and endless discourse, the 2018 World Cup in Russia all comes down to this: France v Croatia in Sunday’s muchanticipated final.
Football’s global spectacle is the most-watched show on the planet; call it a soap opera, if you will – and, now, we are readying for the climactic season-ending instalment until, in four years’ time, when the next episode of the new season arrives.
This has been a World Cup to remember. There have been some action-packed games, thrilling last-gasp victories and some really outstanding individual moments.
France’s success has been founded on a professional, clinical approach. Despite having some of the world’s most gifted attacking talent, they’ve played within themselves, preferring to focus on defence, shape and structure, and then using the frightening speed of teenager Kylian Mbappé on the break. Because, not only has this been a World Cup to savour, it has also seen the metaphorical handing over of the baton: from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to Mbappé, the next big thing to hit the football world. Make no mistake, in time to come, this brilliant 19-year-old will win the Ballon d’Or, the prized award handed to the sport’s best player.
Croatia boast two of the game’s best midfielders in Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, but the strength of this team can be traced to their impressive and awe-inspiring mental and physical conditioning. They’ve played 360 minutes in their last three games and have never wavered in their fight and desire to overcome. There is an indefatigable spirit at the root of this Croatia side, which is epitomised in the lung-busting perseverance of Modric.
Besides the fact that this is football’s – no, make that sport’s – biggest occasion, if you’re still a little sceptical and need another reason to watch the World Cup final, then can we suggest the midfield duel between Modric and France’s N’Golo Kanté is certainly worth the hype. Enjoy the game.