MOSCOW — France is the established power with a young team full of speed and skill. Croatia has veterans who have shown they never can be counted out.
The teams will meet Sunday in the World Cup final, with France going for its second title in its third final in 20 years. Croatia, a country that only gained independence in 1991, will play in its first.
“Tradition is there to be demolished,” Croatia Coach Zlatko Dalic said Saturday. “I’m not interested who is the opponent.”
Most consider France to be the favorite at Luzhniki Stadium, just like two years ago when it faced Portugal in the European Championship final at home.
But perhaps feeling complacent after beating Germany in the semifinals, France flopped.
“I don’t think it’s going to happen again,” said France captain Hugo Lloris, who has been stellar in goal during this year’s tournament. “We are far from thinking on our side that we have already reached the goal.”
Lloris was the goalkeeper in that 1-0 loss in Paris, facing a Portugal team that reached the final after extra-time victories.
Croatia has done the same this year, needing penalty kicks to beat Denmark and Russia before defeating England in extra time in the semifinals.
But France Coach Didier Deschamps has made changes. Fourteen, to be exact, from the 23 players who made up the squad two years ago.
Another factor in France’s favor is rest. The French had only two days of rest between the Euro 2016 semifinals and final. This time they have four full days to recover, one more than Croatia.
“A lot of things have changed,” Lloris said. “Especially when it comes to recovery and preparation time.”
Croatia also has played a lot more soccer in its six matches. With its last three going to extra time, the team has played a full 90 minutes more than France. There was also the added stress of two penalty shootouts.
That’s all behind.
“Now there is no pressure,” Dalic said through a translator. “Simply this is the greatest moment in the life of all of us. We have come here to enjoy the final.”
FIRST WIN
Croatia hasn’t beaten France in five games since being accepted as a FIFA member federation in 1992.
The first match was the most momentous, a 2-1 win for France in the 1998 World Cup semifinals outside Paris.
A group game at Euro 2004 ended in a 2-2 draw, and their latest game was a 0-0 draw in March 2011 in Paris.
UNBEATEN TEAMS
Both teams were unbeaten in the group stage, and France has trailed for only nine minutes in the entire tournament.
Argentina’s 2-1 lead in the second half of a Round-of-16 game was wiped out by defender Benjamin Pavard’s long-range shot. Kylian Mbappe then scored two quick goals in a 4-3 victory.
Croatia’s 3-0 win over Argentina was a standout performance in the group stage. The team also never trailed in wins over Nigeria and Iceland.
It’s been different in the knockout rounds. Croatia conceded the opening goal in each game before rallying to advance.
BACK TO LUZHNIKI
Both teams have played one game at Luzhniki Stadium.
Croatia beat England 2-1 there on Wednesday, and France’s 0-0 draw with Denmark in its final group game ended with fans booing the tournament’s only scoreless draw.
The past two World Cup finals were 0-0 after 90 minutes, and both were settled by a goal in the second half of extra time.
THIRD-PLACE MATCH
BELGIUM 2, ENGLAND 0: Belgium earned its highest World Cup finish by beating England at St. Petersburg, Russia.
Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard scored for the Belgians, who lost to France in the semifinals Tuesday.
Meunier scored in the fourth minute, knocking a cross from Nacer Chadli past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Hazard added the other off a pass from Kevin de Bruyne in the 82nd.
Toby Alderweireld denied England’s best chance of the game, sliding on the goal line to clear a shot from Eric Dier.
England, which lost to Croatia in the semifinals, matched its best World Cup result – fourth in 1990 – since winning the tournament for the only time as the host country in 1966.
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