All the lack of sleep, the football exhaustion is almost over with the big France v Croatia World Cup Final ready to add a final chapter in what has been a super tournament.
For those who aren’t into football, or don’t have enough time to get to know the details about this game, please accept our Who Cares Guide to the France v Croatia World Cup Final.
Throughout the World Cup we have been trying to follow every game (to the detriment of our health), and pass on what we know.
This time we offer some who cares thoughts on France v Croatia World Cup Final
MON 4:00 (AEST) – FRANCE v CROATIA WORLD CUP FINAL
HOW DID THEY GET HERE?
Both teams won their group, and you have to say that Croatia did it the more impressively. They won all three group games in a group featuring Argentina, although you could argue that France could have won all three games if they could be bothered against Denmark, but the 0-0 suited both.
Croatia’s 3-0 win over Argentina was probably the most impressive performance of the group stages.
Since then Croatia have done it the hard way, as opposed to France who have done it comparably easier.
Croatia have been taken to extra time in all their knockout games so far, and penalties twice, and you could argue that the standard of their opposition has been weaker than France.
France had the much easier group, but their knockout stage opponents have been much harder than Croatia’s having faced Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium to get to the France v Croatia World Cup Final. That appears to be one advantage for the French is that Croatia offer the easiest challenge so far on paper.
Croatia are averaging exactly two goals per game, a good return and France, who are not too fun behind with just one less goal scored. Yes four did come in the Argentina games, but they also had the meaningless Denmark game which boosted the average.
FINAL PATHWAY
FRANCE – 1st Group C – 7pts +3
G1 – France 2 Australia 1
G2 – France 2 Peru 0
G3 – France 0 Denmark 0
R16 – France 4 Argentina 3
QF – France 2 Uruguay 0
SF – France 1 Belgium 0
France have beaten three quality sides in the knockout, with an average ranking of 7.3, Croatia’s opponents were 31.3.
CROATIA – 1st Group D – 9pts – GD +6
G1 – Croatia 2 Nigeria 0
G2 – Croatia 3 Argentina 0
G3 – Croatia 2 Iceland 1
R16 – Croatia 1 Denmark 1 (won 3-2 on pens)
QF – Croatia 2 Russia 2 (won 4-3 pens)
SF – Croatia 2 England 1 (extra time)
Croatia had to go through an extra qualifying playoff just to make the World Cup.
WHO CARES HISTORY STATS
Head to Head – France 3 Draw 2 Croatia 0
Last Match – France 0 Croatia 0 – 2011 Friendly
First Match – France 2 Croatia 1 – 1998 WC Semi
Best Result – France – Win 1998 – Croatia 3rd 1998
WHO CARES HISTORY – YOU MIGHT….
This is a replay of the 1998 World Cup semi final, the best result at a World Cup final.
This will be France’s third World Cup in the last six World Cups. A decent strike rate.
This is only Croatia’s second time past the group stage. Since 1998 they have got knocked out of the group stage three times, and failed to qualify once.
HOW CAN THEY WIN
France have some big stars, and some great attacking players, Mbappe being the sensation and Griezmann the reliable goal scoring forward. Can they get the goal on the board before Croatia grind their way back into the game. Perhaps it is time for Pogba to live up to the price tag.
Croatia’s strength is their midfield, and the big man Mandzukic up front. Modric has been one of the best at the World Cup, Rakitic is always quality, and Perisic was unstoppable for a period against England. Will it be enough to break down the French defense . And can their experience for the big clubs in Champions League finals pay off?
WHO CARES FOR A BET?
RESULT (90mins) – France $1.85 Croatia $5.00 Draw $3.10
WIN in EXTRA TIME – France $9.00 Croatia $21.00
WIN on PENALTIES – France $8.50 Croatia $10.00
OUR BEST BET – France win and Under 2.5 Goals $3.20
Last two World Cup finals have been 1-0.
WHO CARES WHAT WE THINK?
What we think will happen…
France get an early goal, and unlike England shut up shop. Surely by now after three lots of extra time and 2 penalty shootouts Croatia are tired. Compared to France going through in 90 minutes in all their games.
What will probably happen..
France go berserk and pile on three first half goals and win 3-0.
WHO SHOULD A NEUTRAL SUPPORT THEN?
FRANCE IF YOU….
Love a favourite.
Love the colour Blue.
Love Mbappe one of the best young footballers in the world.
Are an Australian fan as it it looks better that you were beaten by the eventual champions. Like in 2006 and 2010.
CROATIA IF YOU…..
Love an underdog.
Love a checkered pattern shirt.
Love to scratch an ic.
