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1998 was a special year for both France and Croatia. The French lifted the World Cup on home soil — to this day their only one. The Croatians look back on 1998 with great affection because that year they achieved their best ever World Cup finish. Until now. Today, 15th July 2018, France and Croatia's paths cross again — just as they did in the semi-finals twenty years ago. On that occasion, it was the French who came out on top. But this is a World Cup final, and the Croatia of Rakitić and Modrić will make things anything but easy.
The road for Didier Deschamps's side — who lifted the trophy in 1998 — has been relatively straightforward en route to the final. Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium have all fallen along the way to Moscow. Key moments came from Varane's goal against Uruguay and Umtiti's against Belgium — both scored by defenders, which takes us straight back to 1998, when Thuram's brace defeated Croatia in those semi-finals twenty years ago.
Croatia's path to tonight's final in Moscow has been very different. They showed attractive football in the group stage, even thrashing Argentina 3–0 in a magnificent Dalić performance. But in the knockouts, Croatia began to suffer. Three lots of extra time, two of those requiring penalties to get through. And yet the players don't look remotely drained — they always give 200% and leave everything on the pitch in pursuit of what would be their country's first ever World Cup star.
Zlatko Dalić's side wants to avenge the heroes of '98 — Šuker, Prosinečki, Boban and company — who fell in that semi-final. To do it, they have been calling on the heart above all else. It's what's kept them going through the toughest moments, what's allowed them to turn it around in each of the last three matches. In every knockout game, Croatia have fallen behind. And in every one, they've found a way back.
Part of that is down to the fighting spirit of Croatia and its people. Many of the current squad's players had to survive a war as children — it made them fighters from a very young age, and that shows on the pitch. Something similar is true of France: the majority of the squad come from immigrant families and very humble backgrounds, and have had to overcome enormous obstacles throughout their lives. Another important parallel between the two sides.
France and Croatia are playing tonight in the most beautiful match football has to offer. A World Cup final is always special, even more so if you're not accustomed to playing in them. For France and Croatia, this is a rematch of the 1998 semi-final between the same two nations. The French dream of emulating their heroes — the ones who won France's only World Cup. One of those heroes is now managing a group of young players chasing that very same dream. In fact, the youngest of them all, Mbappé, wasn't even born when his current manager lifted the World Cup to the Paris sky.
For Croatia too, this is something special — the first World Cup final in their brief history. They've always been a fighting nation, one that has dug deep into its heart to overcome the greatest adversities. All 22 players will have one goal in their heads: to stitch a star above that chequered crest forever. If they do it, they will avenge the heroes of '98. Both sides want the cup, and both will take to the pitch tonight with '98 very much on the mind.
Written by Javier Siñeriz
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