France vs. Croatia: World Cup final 5 key matchups
France face Croatia in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 15. Here are five key matchups that could decide the result.
France, who navigated through the toughest knockout section in recent memory en route to the World Cup final, are an organized, pragmatic side based around 19-year-old stud Kylian Mbappe and the Paul Pogba-N’Golo Kante double-pivot midfield.
Croatia, their opponent and eliminator of England, are another organized, pragmatic side, one that will kill you on set-pieces and defend their hearts out.
They meet Sunday, of course, in the World Cup final. These are the matchup X-factors that will determine the outcome of the biggest sporting event in the world.
Ivan Perisic vs. Kylian Mbappe and Benjamin Pavard
Mbappe’s exploits this World Cup have been well-documented, and necessarily so — he’s been the best attacking player in the entire tournament and it’s not particularly close. Didier Deschamps gives him freedom to hug the right touchline and stay forward to get on the ball in transition, a tactic that often pins the opposing full-back deep.
To do this, Deschamps designed an imbalanced 4-4-2 formation, which put midfielder-by-trade Blaise Matuidi opposite Mbappe to give France the defensive solidity needed to lessen Mbappe’s defensive responsibilities. Matuidi’s presence gives Paul Pogba the ability to cover space out wide as well as centrally next to N’Golo Kante, and it also unlocks room for second striker Antoine Griezmann on the left flank.
Given Pavard’s heavy role in distributing to Mbappe and supporting high up the field, the Croatian left winger Perisic has to decide how to split his attention between defensive work (to prevent overloads) and maintaining an attacking shape, possibly deterring Pavard from moving too far forward.
Paul Pogba vs. Luka Modric
Pogba is key for France. Without a true number 10 in the side, he has to take some of those responsibilities. France’s natural directness with the ball — against equal opposition, they don’t pass it around quite as much as, say, Belgium — fits Pogba’s strengths. He’s one of the best in the world at taking space given to him with the ball and making line-breaking passes, especially to the wing.
His acceleration and tidiness with the ball in tight spaces allow him to dominate opposing midfields, particularly those that can’t keep up with the pace at which he plays the game. Modric, famous for his field-spreading and game-dictating distribution, could be exploited by Pogba’s bursting runs and defensive work rate.
On the other hand, Modric and Ivan Rakitic are exceptionally talented at splitting teams open with springing through-balls. If anyone can take advantage of space left behind by Pogba, it’s them.
Dejan Lovren vs. Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann hasn’t been quite himself for most of this tournament, lacking the attacking bite that made him one of the favorites to win the Golden Ball entering the World Cup (he still might, by the way). The role he played against Belgium, that of a secondary creator and skillful off-ball orchestrator, seemed to fit him well, though.
He’s due for a goal or two. He has the talent to make or break games, a talent that made him one of the most coveted transfer prizes of the summer. France’s 4-4-2, with Matuidi inverted off the left flank and Lucas Hernandez at left-back, frees Griezmann to probe anywhere he pleases.
Often, Lovren will be the central defender he targets. The Liverpool defender has been massive for much of the tournament, but he had some rough stretches against England. There were times when Raheem Sterling’s runs pushed him out of place, forcing him to make a decision between following the speedy Sterling and staying home to cover Harry Kane and the late runs of Dele Alli.
Griezmann could provide similar problems for Lovren.
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Croatia on attacking set pieces
Much has been made of Croatia’s set-piece exploits in this tournament — they’ve played a huge role in carrying Croatia where they are. Set-pieces (along with own goals) have been the star of the tournament, breaking numerous tight, tense games open. France have been similarly effective in dead ball situations. Neither team promises to be aggressive with the ball or press a significant amount, so if it turns into a stalemate, set pieces could very well prove to be the difference.
Olivier Giroud vs. Marcelo Brozovic
Giroud is not perfect as a striker, nor will he provide the grunt work up top that Mario Mandzukic has provided for Croatia. The Chelsea forward hasn’t brought his finishing shoes to the World Cup.
But he’s perfectly fine for what France need him to do, and that is (1) win headers in the box, occupying defenders in the process and (2) connect attacking play by passing with his back to the goal. Giroud has done the occupying defenders part, and his hold-up play is a small but important part of France’s possession, particularly in the way it opens spots for Griezmann.
Croatia’s biggest flaw could be their lack of defensive physicality in central midfield. Rakitic and Modric are great, but getting a bit older, and Marcelo Brozovic is no Kante. Giroud could find success posting up on Brozovic or Rakitic and trying to use the help generated from the backline to send Mbappe or Griezmann in behind.
Brozovic, if he plays (Modric could play next to Rakitic with Andrej Kramaric playing higher in midfield), will have to hold his own to cut off a potentially effective attacking path for France.