Sports, World Cup 2018

World Cup Final: France vs. Croatia

Can Croatia finish their fairy tale on top or will France repeat after two decades?

15.07.2018 - Update : 15.07.2018
World Cup Final: France vs. Croatia

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA

The big day for world football has arrived as France and Croatia are set to take on each other in the World Cup Final.

The final will be played in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium at 6 p.m. local time (GMT1500)

Les Bleus last won the World Cup back in 1998 at home, and the same tournament saw Croatia get eliminated by France in the semifinal, 2-1.

Back then, World Cup 1998 was Croatia's first and greatest achievement as they finished the tournament in third place by beating Netherlands.

France topped Group C after beating Australia and Peru and drawing against Denmark to collect 7 points.

Croatia also topped their group, Group D, by beating Nigeria, Argentina, and Iceland to amass 9 points.

France defeated Argentina with a 4-3 score in Round of 16, while Croatia needed a penalty shootout against Denmark.

Les Bleus got past Uruguay in the quarterfinal with a score of 2-0, while Croatia again overcame a penalty shootout, this time against Russia.

In the semifinal, the 1998 winners took on Belgium and won with a score of 1-0. Croatia, on the other hand, made history and defeated England 2-1 in extra time to advance to their first-ever final.

- 63 matches played in tournament

A total of 63 matches have been played so far in this year's World Cup, with 163 goals or 2.6 per game.

Harry Kane leads all scorers in Russia with 6 goals, and is the front-runner to receive the Golden Boot award.

France's Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe have 3 goals each.

Belgium were the most-scoring team with 16 goals. Croatia so far has 12 goals, and France 10.

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