France vs Croatia, who will win?

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The French, however, do not want to be tempted to underestimate their final opponent, who is sent from all sides as an outsider in this final. On the contrary. The wound of the lost European Championship final two years ago is still not completely healed.

As a reminder: In 2016, the French, after defeating Germany in the semi-finals, have gone to Portugal as a big favorite - and in the end, after a prolonged extra time, they lost 1-0.

"2016 must not be repeated", warns France midfield strategist Paul Pogba therefore now. He remembers: "At that time we left a big opportunity. We absolutely must use these. "

And France coach Didier Deschamps said after the final round, "We have not forgotten the pain of two years ago. That's why we have to do everything to make things different this time. "

If it would go differently for Les Bleus this time, would be Deschamps after the Brazilian Mario Zagallo and the German "Emperor" Franz Beckenbauer only the third, who comes as a player and as a coach to world championship honors.

Deschamps wants to know but little about it: "I do not want to tell my players so much of that time. They know the pictures, but I want to write a new story with them. "

This is almost done. Only the last chapter is missing. And the happy ending.

There are many indications that this will happen. First, the defensive.

Although the quarter-final match against Argentina, as France keeper Hugo Lloris had to fish the ball three times, the French defense was bombproof - in four out of six World Cup games, Tricolore were without a clean sheet!

Quite consistently, Deschamps, once defensive midfielder, despite a high-profile offensive on a strong and compact defense. With success.

France's defenders are thus an important building block for success - and in a double sense: they not only prevent goals but also shoot important goals.

The French and Croatian parallels to the 1998 World Cup:

EURO 2016
FRANCE:

In the preliminary round in a group with Denmark
In the second round an opponent from South America (at that time Paraguay, this time Argentina)
In the semi-final an opponent from Europe, also a secret favorite (then Croatia, this time Belgium)

EURO 2016
CROATIA:

In the preliminary round in a group with Argentina
In the second round an opponent from Europe (then Romania, this time Denmark)
In the semi-final an opponent from Europe, a former World Champion (then Germany, this time England)

For the Croats ended 20 years ago against France a sensational run of success.

This time, this should not happen. Now the Balkan kickers, who have not only repeated but also surpassed the "miracle of 1998", are aiming for the crown - the World Cup trophy.

This would make Croatia, after Uruguay, Italy, Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina, France and Spain, the 9th overall World Champion

At the beginning of the tournament probably only the biggest optimists from the small Balkan state believed in it - they managed to qualify only with bad luck and noise.

The completely unknown Zlatko Dalic was hauled into the coaching office only before the last qualifying round and he should ensure participation in the 2018 World Cup.

The team was completely divided, the situation actually hopeless. But he did the impossible.

Croatia qualified for the World Cup. Within a very short time, Dalic had formed a functioning unit out of many selfish individuals. This was also evident in these title fights.

With a convincing 2-0 against Nigeria, the "checkers" started in this World Cup and it followed an impressive 3: 0 against many of the title favorite acted Argentina. From this point in time was in the circle of title favorites also repeatedly called Croatia.

After a 2-1 win against Iceland ended the preliminary round without loss of points and as a group first, it went into the knockout round - where the Croats a potential knock-out could avoid each time just.

Against Denmark (knockout round) and Russia (quarter-finals), the "checkers" prevailed on penalties, against England in the semifinals in extra time.

But even more impressive is that the Croatians were able to equalize in all three knockout matches a backlog and still leave the place as the winner.

However, they still have other setbacks on their way to the final - such as the missed penalty by Luka Modric in extra time against Denmark or Russia equalizer shortly before the end of the "extra time".

Croatia coach Zlatko Dadic raved about his team's run-off to the finals. "That's not normal. It's crazy how my players played, how they ran, how they fought. "

This is truly a tremendous amount of energy that the Croats have done so far: In all three knockout games they had to "detention" - so they have a whole game more in their legs with 3x 30 minutes extension than final opponents France.

That could prove to be a big disadvantage in the final against the French, who finished their three knockout matches in regular time.

Probably that's why the bookmakers see the Grande Nation as a favorite in this final. The Croats are only outsiders in the biggest game of their career.

In addition: Croatia has never won against France. The previous five matches result in three French wins and two draws.

But that does not detract from their belief in the great triumph. "We can do it. Under dream is not finished yet ", is Croatian side selsbtbewusst to hear.

Ended the last duel of the two nations - in June 2011 - with a goalless draw.

Should this also happen on Sunday, several series would continue ...

Croatia in extra time: The "checkered" would have to insert an "extra layer" in the fourth knockout match at this World Cup.
The "draw series" in World Cup finals: The last three World Cup finals were drawn after 90 minutes each. The winners were either determined in extra time or only on penalties.
The "Torlos Series" in World Cup finals: Both in the final in 2014 and in the final of 2010 there were no goals within the regular season - and ultimately only one thing: the winning goal in extra time.

Due to France's strict defensive thinking, it does not look like it's going to change - which will make friends of Torah more likely to focus on "under-scoring" odds.

The last time that more than two goals were scored in a World Cup final - which would have given rise to a goal bet with over 2.5 goals - was France's 3-0 win over Brazil in 1998.

In fact, there were only three in the last 9 World Cup finals, in which more than two hits have fallen in regular time - in addition to 1998, this was still the case in 1986 and 1982. Also, that both teams have met in the final, there has been only three times since 1982 ...

Since four out of the last six finals went into extra time - the last, which was decided after 90 minutes, was that of 2002 - and so far everything was very close at this World Cup, it is conceivable that the final is over 120 minutes.

It was not until two times a World Cup final on penalties decided - first in 1994 (Brazil won against Italy) and 2006 (Italy won against France).

Should it come to the worst again, the Croats, who had already twice in the tournament so far in this decision-making had, perhaps even a small advantage - they already know this feeling.

Since four out of the last six finals went into extra time - the last, which was decided after 90 minutes, was that of 2002 - and so far everything was very close at this World Cup, it is conceivable that the final is over 120 minutes.

It was not until two times a World Cup final on penalties decided - first in 1994 (Brazil won against Italy) and 2006 (Italy won against France).

Should it come to the worst again, the Croats, who had already twice in the tournament so far in this decision-making had, perhaps even a small advantage - they already know this feeling.

So I jope so that Croatia will after all this be World Champion.

Go go Croatia.