FIFA World Cup Final 2018
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
July 15 

HEAD-TO-HEAD
France 3
Draws 2
Croatia 0

Recent meetings
2011 France	0-0	Croatia
2004 Croatia	2-2	France

France unbeaten in five meetings with Croatia, including 2-1 victory in 1998 World Cup semi-final


France 
Coach Didier Deschamps
Captain Hugo Lloris

WORLD CUP RECORD
W33 D13 L19
Appearances: 15
Best finish: Winner (1998)
2014 performance Quarter-final
2018: Topped Group C before confident displays in knock-out stages against Argentina, Uruguay and strong Belgium team

FRENCH FLAIR
Third final, after 1998 victory and loss to Italy in 2006. Team inspired by teenage star Kylian Mbappe (left)


Croatia
Coach Zlatko Dalic
Captain Luka Modric

WORLD CUP RECORD
W11 D4 L7
Appearances: 5
Best finish: Third place (1998)
2014 performance Group stage
2018: Unbeaten in Group D to secure top spot. Dispatched host Russia before reaching final
with extra-time victory over England

CROATIAN CREATIVITY
In first final of major tournament as independent nation. “Golden Generation” of stars
includes Ivan Ratikic, Mario Mandzukic and Luka Modric (right)
 

ROAD TO FINAL
W Australia	2-1 Match 1	W Nigeria	2-0
W Peru		1-0 Match 2	W Argentina	3-0
D Denmark	0-0 Match 3	W Iceland	2-1
W Argentina	4-3 Last 16	W Denmark	1-1*
W Uruguay	2-0 QF		W Russia	2-2*
W Belgium	1-0 SF		W England	2-1†

*Penalties 3-2, Pens 4-3, †After extra time


SHOOTING BOOTS: Goals
Mbappe		3	
Griezmann	3
Mandzukic	2
Perisic		2
Modric		2

EYE FOR GOAL: Total shots
Perisic		20
Griezmann	19
Rakitic		14
Giroud		14
Rebic		13

PLAYMAKERS: Passes
Modric		368
Kante		317
Rakitic		309
Varane		276
Lovren		275

COMPETITION STATISTICS
10	Goals scored		12
4	Goals against		5
75	Total shots		100
24	Shots on target		26
2331	Passes completed	2757
19	Corners			34
49%	Possession		54%


FATIGUE FACTOR
Croatia have played 90 mins more football than France, with three periods of extra-time and two penalty shoot-outs


PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Hernandez	Matuidi		Rebic	Vrsaljko
Umtiti	Kante			Rakitic	Lovren
Lloris	Griezmann	Giroud	Mandzukic	Kramaric	Subasic	
Varane	Pogba			Modric	Vida
Pavard	Mbappe			Perisic	Strinic


MATCHBALL: TELSTAR 2018
Modern interpretation of iconic Telstar used from 1970-74, based on similar carcass to 2014 Brazuca


ROLL CALL OF CHAMPIONS
European teams extend winning streak to fourth successive World Cup
1930 Uruguay	Host: Uruguay
1934 Italy	Italy
1938 Italy	France
1950 Uruguay	Brazil
1954 W. Germany	Switzerland
1958 Brazil	Sweden
1962 Brazil	Chile
1966 England	England
1970 Brazil	Mexico
1974 W. Germany	W. Germany
1978 Argentina	Argentina
1982 Italy	Spain
1986 Argentina	Mexico
1990 West Germany	Italy
1994 Brazil	United States
1998 France	France
2002 Brazil 	South Korea/Japan
2006 Italy 	Germany
2010 Spain 	South Africa
2014 Germany 	Brazil


LUZHNIKI STADIUM
Opened: 1956 
Capacity: 80,000
Built in 1950s as flagship stadium of Soviet Union. Hosted 1980 Olympic Games and 2008 Champions League final


Source: FIFA 
Pictures: Getty Images
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