2018 FIFA World Cup: An Unlikely Final
Football as all its fans know, is an entertaining, gripping, exciting, dramatic and ultimately an unpredictable sport, and on the grandest stage of football, we were treated to no different.
This years World Cup in Russia has been a unique tournament, in which records have been met or better, while some were created (VAR introduction). There have been major upsets this year as was evidenced by the lack of any of the semifinalists in the last edition of the World Cup to make it to this year's finale in Russia. Brazil were knocked out in the Quarter final by an impressive Belgium, Spain in the round of 16 to hosts Russia, Germany - title holders - were sent flying home from the group stages and the Netherlands notoriously losing their place in the tournament proper after some unsatisfying displays in their qualifiers.
With that being said, the two best teams so far in the tournament have found their places in the finals of the competition. France vs Croatia is not a match that many would have been able to predict to be a finals, rather it could easily have been a round of 16 tie (look at the group draws), but taking nothing from either sides, they both have earned their places.
Looking at the tournament charts, the French possibly had the tougher set of fixtures en-route the final, after walking their way out of their group without needing to leave second gear, they managed to best three opposition with very impressive displays all round. The round of 16 match against Argentina was a sharp change in quality of opposition from the teams in Group C. Argentina were matched for intensity and quality, winning a hotly contested match 4-3, thanks in no small part to the brilliance and directness of their teenage star, Kylian Mbappe, whose performance brought back memories that were last seen in the 1958 World Cup by Brazilian legend Pele, who was just 17 at the time. In their following match against Uruguay, it was a disciplined display France produced in the 2-0 win, against a team known for their hard tacklers and defensive coordination. Belgium were statistically their toughest opponents, having dominated France in possession, but as we have come to know, possession counts for little in this sport. Les Blues 1-0 display in that match was reminiscent of the 2010 Semi final encounter between Germany and Spain.
The whole French squad have been able to produce the important goals when required and have done so without needing extra time or the dreaded penalties.
The Croats on the other hand, stuck to a similar formula against the opposition they faced in the knockout stages. They produced an extra 90 minutes of football, when you add all the extra time minutes they got from the 3 rounds. Their matches against Denmark and Russia were identical, in both matches they had the game tied at 1-1 in regulation 90 minutes, and required a penalty shoot out in both matches after extra time could not separate the teams. Although against Russia, they took the initiative and went ahead in extra time, Russia replied with a goal of their own to send the game to penalties. Their Semi final tie against England had more of the same drama. Tied at one goal a piece, the matched was poised for another extra time encounter. This time Croatia learned from their error in the previous match, they took the lead and did not let up despite England's best efforts, getting a satisfying 2-1 victory.
Taking into perspective the performances and quality of players on both teams, France are the better side on paper and having played significantly less would be the fresher of the two teams. The likes of Griezmann and Mbappe should give the Croatian defence marshaled by Lovren and Vida with Subasic in goal some problems. However, the French should be wary of the midfield engine room the Croats have, and would look to Kante and Pogba to hold arguably the player of the tournament shoo-in, Modric, with his lieutenants Rakitic and Perisic proving that they are more than capable deputies.
For more footballing views and opinions, you can catch-up on our sister podcast show Strictly Sports with Johnbinho
This years World Cup in Russia has been a unique tournament, in which records have been met or better, while some were created (VAR introduction). There have been major upsets this year as was evidenced by the lack of any of the semifinalists in the last edition of the World Cup to make it to this year's finale in Russia. Brazil were knocked out in the Quarter final by an impressive Belgium, Spain in the round of 16 to hosts Russia, Germany - title holders - were sent flying home from the group stages and the Netherlands notoriously losing their place in the tournament proper after some unsatisfying displays in their qualifiers.
With that being said, the two best teams so far in the tournament have found their places in the finals of the competition. France vs Croatia is not a match that many would have been able to predict to be a finals, rather it could easily have been a round of 16 tie (look at the group draws), but taking nothing from either sides, they both have earned their places.
Looking at the tournament charts, the French possibly had the tougher set of fixtures en-route the final, after walking their way out of their group without needing to leave second gear, they managed to best three opposition with very impressive displays all round. The round of 16 match against Argentina was a sharp change in quality of opposition from the teams in Group C. Argentina were matched for intensity and quality, winning a hotly contested match 4-3, thanks in no small part to the brilliance and directness of their teenage star, Kylian Mbappe, whose performance brought back memories that were last seen in the 1958 World Cup by Brazilian legend Pele, who was just 17 at the time. In their following match against Uruguay, it was a disciplined display France produced in the 2-0 win, against a team known for their hard tacklers and defensive coordination. Belgium were statistically their toughest opponents, having dominated France in possession, but as we have come to know, possession counts for little in this sport. Les Blues 1-0 display in that match was reminiscent of the 2010 Semi final encounter between Germany and Spain.
The whole French squad have been able to produce the important goals when required and have done so without needing extra time or the dreaded penalties.
The Croats on the other hand, stuck to a similar formula against the opposition they faced in the knockout stages. They produced an extra 90 minutes of football, when you add all the extra time minutes they got from the 3 rounds. Their matches against Denmark and Russia were identical, in both matches they had the game tied at 1-1 in regulation 90 minutes, and required a penalty shoot out in both matches after extra time could not separate the teams. Although against Russia, they took the initiative and went ahead in extra time, Russia replied with a goal of their own to send the game to penalties. Their Semi final tie against England had more of the same drama. Tied at one goal a piece, the matched was poised for another extra time encounter. This time Croatia learned from their error in the previous match, they took the lead and did not let up despite England's best efforts, getting a satisfying 2-1 victory.Taking into perspective the performances and quality of players on both teams, France are the better side on paper and having played significantly less would be the fresher of the two teams. The likes of Griezmann and Mbappe should give the Croatian defence marshaled by Lovren and Vida with Subasic in goal some problems. However, the French should be wary of the midfield engine room the Croats have, and would look to Kante and Pogba to hold arguably the player of the tournament shoo-in, Modric, with his lieutenants Rakitic and Perisic proving that they are more than capable deputies.
For more footballing views and opinions, you can catch-up on our sister podcast show Strictly Sports with Johnbinho
Nicely Put. I also think Subasic has played an extremely vital role in getting the Croats here.
ReplyDeleteI see France coming out on top
ReplyDeleteVery well expressed. I'm going with France in this one.
ReplyDelete