2018 FIFA World Cup Final: France v Croatia, 15th July, 4pm(GMT)

[JJ1532]

What a strange final this looks to be. Most finals are 2 of the footballing superpowers going blow for blow. In the last few years we've had Portugal v France, Germany v Argentina, Spain v Italy, Spain v Holland etc. But this time, we'll have our first world cup final debutant in Croatia.

They take on a France team who have cruised into this final. They've often played in first gear, leaving what seems like plenty in the tank and just doing what they need to do to win. Only against Argentina did we see them click through the gears imo. They come into this one heavy favourites and it's hard to look past them here.

As for Croatia, they have not been great since the groups, but they keep chugging along, grinding out the wins. But how much more do they have in the tank? 3 straight games going to extra time, they'll need superhuman powers of recovery to keep up with a fresher and powerful France team. But, they keep on finding ways to win. Can they do the same here? Or is their fairytale run coming to an end at the final hurdle?

So, France to win just their 2nd World Cup in 20 years? Or will the debutants upset the favourites and pull off a shock win?

 

[SALTIRE]

So, France to win just their 2nd World Cup in 20 years?

Odd statement JJ, until Germany won in 2014, they hadn't won in six world cups. The years tick on and you only get one shot every four years. Even Brazil - the most successful World Cup side - won't have won it in 20 years when the next one comes round.

Anyway, we've had a bet on France since pretournament, so obviously hope they come up, but they have been the best side it has to be said, winning all their games (if they win they will be the only winners to have won every single game since the thirties).

Croatia have shown terrific determination and drive to get here, doing it the hard way in all of their knockout matches. I think this will be one step too far for them however, and France will have too much for them in the end.

France 2 - 0 Croatia

 

[Chris FGR]

Hope Croatia win, much more likeable team and people in general. Cracking holiday destination as well.

 

[valefan16]

Hope Croatia win but think it will be massively one sided and the French will possibly paste them. A step too far and the French would have destroyed them in that first half last night.

Either way they’ve done their country proud and battled well.

 

[epic73]

I think Reece Oxford will win.

 

[Benji]

I been reading articles about how technically football has come home because the country enjoyed the national team again.

So what's the point in this match??

 

[Luke_1884]

I been reading articles about how technically football has come home because the country enjoyed the national team again.

So what's the point in this match??

Chin up Benj.

You're not the only one who's hurt because we've enjoyed a tournament for once. We might even release a DVD.

Away from shitting on England, I reckon France will have a bit too much for them. 2-0 with Pogba having a stormer.

 

[T.A]

I been reading articles about how technically football has come home because the country enjoyed the national team again.

So what's the point in this match??

I hope we do this football coming home next tournament too as its really got into some people's heads.

Poor Benji.

 

[mistermagic]

Odd statement JJ, until Germany won in 2014, they hadn't won in six world cups. The years tick on and you only get one shot every four years. Even Brazil - the most successful World Cup side - won't have won it in 20 years when the next one comes round.

Anyway, we've had a bet on France since pretournament, so obviously hope they come up, but they have been the best side it has to be said, winning all their games (if they win they will be the only winners to have won every single game since the thirties).

Croatia have shown terrific determination and drive to get here, doing it the hard way in all of their knockout matches. I think this will be one step too far for them however, and France will have too much for them in the end.

France 2 - 0 Croatia

We didn't beat Denmark dumbass! Worst game of the tournament that was.

 

[SALTIRE]

We didn't beat Denmark dumbass! Worst game of the tournament that was.

Well the commentators, much like the pundits and media, were wrong again; as I clearly heard that the other day when watching the match. I got it wrong then, ok frog spawn?

 

[Chris FGR]

Hope Croatia win but think it will be massively one sided and the French will possibly paste them. A step too far and the French would have destroyed them in that first half last night.

Either way they’ve done their country proud and battled well.

France don't destroy teams though, Deschamps is pretty defensive, too defensive imo, and if they score early they'll try and sit on it and leave Mbappe up by himself for counters. Probably end up 1 or 2-0.

 

[Bobbin']

Can’t see anything other than a comfortable French victory.

No matter what Modric or anyone says, they’ve played 120mins+ 3 times in just over a week, they will feel that.

At risk of sounding arrogant/bitter I genuinely believe that England would have have given France a better game. Not because we’re a better team than Croatia but because of the way we set-up and play. We have pace and could exploit the wings which I think is the area you could most hit France. Croatia simply don’t have that, their midfield which is their best asset will be matched and we saw in the first half against England their defence is shit scared of pace, they were all over the place. Mbappe will cause bundles of problems,

 

[mistermagic]

Well the commentators, much like the pundits and media, were wrong again; as I clearly heard that the other day when watching the match. I got it wrong then, ok frog spawn?

Can’t see anything other than a comfortable French victory.

No matter what Modric or anyone says, they’ve played 120mins+ 3 times in just over a week, they will feel that.

At risk of sounding arrogant/bitter I genuinely believe that England would have have given France a better game. Not because we’re a better team than Croatia but because of the way we set-up and play. We have pace and could exploit the wings which I think is the area you could most hit France. Croatia simply don’t have that, their midfield which is their best asset will be matched and we saw in the first half against England their defence is shit scared of pace, they were all over the place. Mbappe will cause bundles of problems,

Yes. Would have been horrible to watch though but England could have done on Portugal on us.

Not overly bothered if we don't win. I mean I am but the country just transforms itself in one big bandwaggon daytrippers stand as soon as we get past the quarter-finals. Now everyone is buying the overpriced shirt and everyone will be buying the shirt if we win and same if Nike start doing one with 2 stars (would probably cost 500€).
Not wanting to sound like a lower-league dick but most people I talk to at work don't know what football is and they can go and do one.

Can't wait for Ligue 2 to start again personnally. I'll go to the Champs-Elysées if we win with my mates but if we don't it won't be the end of the world. Most Paris folk want us to win so they can go to the famous street and take selfies, not because they want us to win the biggest trophy there is.

Anyway...

 

[Bobbin']

Yes. Would have been horrible to watch though but England could have done on Portugal on us.

Not overly bothered if we don't win. I mean I am but the country just transforms itself in one big bandwaggon daytrippers stand as soon as we get past the quarter-finals. Now everyone is buying the overpriced shirt and everyone will be buying the shirt if we win and same if Nike start doing one with 2 stars (would probably cost 500€).
Not wanting to sound like a lower-league dick but most people I talk to at work don't know what football is and they can go and do one.

Can't wait for Ligue 2 to start again personnally. I'll go to the Champs-Elysées if we win with my mates but if we don't it won't be the end of the world. Most Paris folk want us to win so they can go to the famous street and take selfies, not because they want us to win the biggest trophy there is.

Anyway...

You’ll win, sir.

Well you bloody better as I had £20 on France pre-tournament at 7/1.

 

[SALTIRE]

You’ll win, sir.

Well you bloody better as I had £20 on France pre-tournament at 7/1.

Ooh good odds, just stuck a tenner on at 11/2 pretourney.

 

[Bobbin']

Ooh good odds, just stuck a tenner on at 11/2 pretourney.

Yep. Just double checked and it was actually only 6/1 with Hills price boost. Will take it, still.

 

[Dirk]

Can't wait for Ligue 2 to start again personnally.

Ligue 2? Why? Generally, because League football starts in France or do you have a favourite team in Ligue 2?

Yeah, can't wait,too, for 2.Bundesliga to start (HSV starts with a home match against Holstein Kiel already in 3 weeks)

Now everyone is buying the overpriced shirt and everyone will be buying the shirt if we win

I think you'll win 1-0 by a Griezmann penalty. But I wouldn't mind if Croatia wins it.

 

[Gassy]

Croatia will win this.

They’re great when they’re underdogs and underestimated

2-1 Croatia

 

[mistermagic]

Ligue 2? Why? Generally, because League football starts in France or do you have a favourite team in Ligue 2?

Like the fact that they have games on a Saturday afternoon (enables people to go to games) and yeah I like Red Star (just got promoted from the 3rd division) even though they can't play in their own ground due to league regulations.

 

[Carver]

This will be like every other world cup final and be boring 0-0 in normal time and then won 1-0 in extra time by France.

 

[Bilo]

Yes. Would have been horrible to watch though but England could have done on Portugal on us.

Not overly bothered if we don't win. I mean I am but the country just transforms itself in one big bandwaggon daytrippers stand as soon as we get past the quarter-finals. Now everyone is buying the overpriced shirt and everyone will be buying the shirt if we win and same if Nike start doing one with 2 stars (would probably cost 500€).
Not wanting to sound like a lower-league dick but most people I talk to at work don't know what football is and they can go and do one.

Can't wait for Ligue 2 to start again personnally. I'll go to the Champs-Elysées if we win with my mates but if we don't it won't be the end of the world. Most Paris folk want us to win so they can go to the famous street and take selfies, not because they want us to win the biggest trophy there is.

Anyway...

Wow this must be the most arrogant, grudging take on a national festival of happiness that winning the world cup is. What, so only those who are "proper" football fans (by your own definition, of course) are allowed to enjoy it? Uh. Most people in Sweden don't give a fuck about football but when we're in the world cup everyone does, and it's beautiful and I couldn't imagine having a problem with it. Get down from the high horse and enjoy it instead of this drivel of bitterness.

Obviously having lived in France in two stints and having many French friends I have a soft spot for them, and I always thought they'd be the eventual winners. But this Croatian fairytale isn't one you can just overlook, if they win it will be Leicester-like. Many of the players (Lovren, Vida, Mandzukic) grew up as refugees from the most hideous war modern Europe has seen.

Either way it will be a deserved winner.

 

[Carver]

France should win this comfortably because Croatia will be too tired from playing more match time, just like they were meant to be tired against England. lol

 

[Abertawe]

I'd have thought there'd be no finer time for France with all it's goings on to win the world cup personally. I suppose the same could be said for many countries but France has been pretty volatile by recent standards.

 

[Leo]

Looking forward to a good entertaining game with a few goals.....

 

[Leo]

Closing ceremony taking place....why no Robbie Williams ?......

 

[G.B]

Think France are going to smash them tbh. 4-0.

 

[Abertawe]

Croatia penalties

 

[JJ1532]

Not surprising to see Croatia start strong. They clearly know they need to get a goal early and give themselves something to defend. The longer this game goes on and stays level, the more it swings towards France. They just need to grind Croatia down and their fresher legs will start to play a factor.

 

[JJ1532]

A World Cup defined by set pieces and own goals. How fitting that the opening goal in the final comes from a combination of both.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Croatia have been the better side, but no matter as France already ahead. Yep it's set piece!