Who will lift prized trophy: France-Croatia predictions

One of the best World Cups in history comes to an end Sunday in Moscow, as France and Croatia face off at Luzhniki Stadium with the world championship on the line.

This is the third time France has reached the World Cup final, winning it all in 1998 and losing to Italy in the 2006 championship game.

Croatia’s national team didn’t officially join FIFA until 1992 — with players previously competing for Yugoslavia — and is here in the final for the first time.

USA TODAY’s soccer staff members give their picks for the World Cup final and who will win the Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament’s best player.

Martin Rogers

Prediction: France 3, Croatia 0 There isn’t much to choose between these teams except for the fact they are at the polar opposite ends of the “effort expended” spectrum. Croatia has played what amounts to an entire additional game thanks to three bouts of extra time. France has the movement to exploit those tired legs.

Golden Ball winner: Luka Modric,

Croatia

Jim Reineking

Prediction: France 2, Croatia 1 (after extra time)

Croatia again pushes an opponent into extra time but this time succumbs to the uber-talented French, who crush the dreams of another “golden generation.”

Golden Ball: Luka Modric, Croatia

Adam Woodard

Prediction: France 2, Croatia 1 Croatia plays incredibly well as a team, and I expect Modric and Rakitic to put on a show. That being said, France is too strong in the attacking third, not to mention the advantage at the goalkeeper position with Hugo Lloris. Olivier Giroud scores his first goal of the tournament and Les Bleus are champions again.

Golden Ball: Kylian Mbappe,

France

Jesse Yomtov

Prediction: France 3, Croatia 1 If there’s a group that can throw Croatia’s heralded midfield off its game, it’s the one featuring Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante. The Croats aren’t going to be able to be able to dictate the tempo like in past games, while the speed and creativity of France’s Antoine Greizmann and Kylian Mbappe should be able to exploit a tired team.

Golden Ball: Kylian Mbappe,

France