The penultimate day has finally arrived, after a month of some wonderful performances and heartbreaks. One among the two teams, France and Croatia is going to be crowned as the World Champions.
Whatever the result may be, European domination over the kingdom of world football is set to continue. Here are the four things to watch out for in this high profile-clash.
1. The rise of wonder boy Kylian Mbappe
This has been Kylian Mbappe's World Cup so far, he is the name on every football fan's lips. His dazzling displays in Russia have left spectators amazed. He is the second youngest player to play the World Cup this time, at the age of 19 years and six months.
But his skills and capabilities betray his age. From winning the UEFA U-19 Championships in 2016 with France to becoming the youngest player to score in a UEFA Champions League match, the prodigy has come a long way.
He has set the World Cup on fire by scoring some beautiful goals, helping Les Blues topple Argentina, Uruguay, and Belgium in the run-up to the final.
2. Luka Modric vs N'Golo Kante - (midfield)
Luka Modric and N'Golo Kante will be the heartbeats of their own teams. Luka Modric's story hasn't exactly been a fairy tale. Plagued by the horrors of war and weak physique in his childhood, Modric has had a tough journey to cover. Right now he is at the top.
Croatia's captain has been their standout performer in this World Cup. He became one of the finest midfielders in world football ever since he joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012. His dedication, reading of the game and ability to change the flow of the game, makes him so dangerous.
N'Golo Kante has been the unsung hero of his team, almost always. However, he has been turning heads with his performances in the World Cup and has been their most consistent player throughout the tournament.
The midfield engine snuffs out opposition attacks with ease. From playing in the 6th division of French football to winning two Premier League titles and reaching the final with France, his career is a testimony to hard work and dedication. He would be vital to France's chances of returning home with the ultimate trophy.
#3. The attacking engines - (France and Croatia)
Rakitic and Mandzukic will be vital to Croatia's plans. both teams locking horns on Sunday are really dangerous when they attack in general or on the counter. It would be a joy to see who comes out on top.
The French attacking arsenal has the ever-dependent Olivier Giroud up front, whose capability to link up with team-mates and holding the ball makes him a really important member of the squad. Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann have the potential to wreak havoc in opposition defense systems.
In the engine room, N'Golo Kante pairs up with the visionary Paul Pogba and sprinter Blaise Matuidi. On top of that, the presence of Thomas Lemar, Nabir Fekir, Ousmane Dembele, Kimpembe and Tolisso on the bench, almost guarantees success.
The Croatian team has the very capable Mario Mandzukic as the center-forward who often scores spectacular goals for fun. He is very well complimented by the dangerous Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic, whose pinpoint crosses make him a really serious threat to the opposition.
4. The French wall of defense
The French team has gradually evolved into one of the most complete teams with their progress at the World Cup.
From a team that conceded 3 goals against Argentina to a team that took on the entire might of Belgium's attacking force, the French defense has become a really compact unit under 1998 World Cup-winning captain and now manager - Didier Deschamps.
The defense is marshaled by Real Madrid's Raphael Varane, who has blossomed into one of the best defenders in world football ever since he broke into the Real Madrid starting XI.
He is very ably supported by the beast of Barcelona - Samuel Umtiti, who rose to prominence at Lyon and continued his growth when he joined Barcelona in 2016.
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