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After an incredible amount of excitement in the semi-final, we now know the identities of the two finalists. On one hand, a juggernaut French team has cruised into the final, having dispatched the likes of Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium with relative ease. Les Blues are arguably the most talented team in the tournament but have mainly focused on defensive solidity throughout the tournament with manager Didier Deschamps preferring a conservative style.
On the other hand, you have an underdog Croatian team that has overcome the odds to reach the semi-final. They have gone the full 120 minutes in all three of their knockout stages while winning two penalty shootouts. The Vatreni have already made history as the first team from the country to make the World Cup final.
Considering the success of these two teams, a combined XI would be extremely scary. The below XI is based on the performance of these players in the World Cup, rather than their overall talent.
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Goalkeeper
GK: Danijel Subasic
This was the hardest choice in this XI. Captain Hugo Lloris has been brilliant for Les Blues throughout the tournament, making particularly great saves against Uruguay (Martin Caceres) and Belgium (Toby Alderweireld). However, Subasic has had a lot more to do than Lloris. The Croatian goalkeeper has been brilliant as he has made four saves in penalty shootouts while bravely continuing against Russia and England despite injuries.
Defenders:
RB: Sime Vrsalijko
Over the past two years, Sime Vrsalijko has been part of one of the best club defences in the World: Atletico Madrid. In the World Cup, he has helped Croatia replicate his club team. Vrsalijko has helped stop some of the best left-wingers in the tournament including Victor Moses, Denis Cheryshev (apart from that wonder goal) and Maximiliano Meza. He has also contributed on the attacking end, making a crucial assist for Ivan Perisic in the semi-final.
CB: Raphael Varane
Simply put, Varane has been the best defender in the World Cup. The Real Madrid player has been imperious for Les Blues as he has helped them keep four clean sheets. Even in the Round of 16 game against Argentina when France conceded three goals, Varane was not to blame for any of the freakish goals and often covered for his teammates’ mistakes. Otherwise, Varane has helped contain the likes of Luis Suarez, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard in the group-stages.
CB: Domagoj Vida
Many would have preferred Samuel Umtiti or even Vida’s teammate Dejan Lovren in that spot. Umtiti scored a brilliant goal in the semi-final while Lovren has claimed that he is one of the World’s best defenders. However, Domagoj Vida has been better than both of those players, simply because he has made fewer defensive errors than Lovren and Umtiti. Vida’s defensive dominance has made two interceptions per game and 6.2 clearances per game.
LB: Lucas Hernandez
While Lucas Hernandez isn’t exactly a household name, this wasn’t much of a contest. His counterpart on the Croatian side, Ivan Strinic has been the Vatreni’s primary defensive weakness. On the other hand, Hernandez has been brilliant for France. He has been excellent defensively, contributing to the overall solidity of Les Blues’ defence.
He has also helped provide width on the left side for the team- his crosses helped start the moves for two of France’s goals vs Argentina.
Midfielders:
CDM: N’Golo Kante
First of all, Marcelo Brozovic has been brilliant for Croatia- his defensive performance was key for Croatia against England in the semi-final. However, he doesn’t hold a candle to N’Golo Kante who has continued his Premier League form for Les Blues.
The Chelsea midfielder has been an absolute menace for opposing teams as he has helped cut out opposition counter-attacks on umpteen occasions, averaging a ridiculous 2.3 tackles and 3.2 interceptions per game.
CM: Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba’s dynamism is what makes Didier Deschamps’ system tick. Pogba has been absolutely splendid for Les Blues in this tournament, having been directly responsible for their three group stage goals- making two through passes that eventually led to goals against Australia and Peru and it was his deflected shot that proved the winner against the Socceroos.
In the knockout stages, he has been the perfect partner to Kante in helping out with Les Blues’ defence. Ivan Rakitic has also been great in the World Cup but Pogba’s box to box production edges the Barcelona player out of this XI.
CM: Luka Modric
The Golden Ball favourite, Luka Modric has shown this tournament why he is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. The Croatia captain has led by example, dominating the midfield battle in every single game.
He has also created the third most chances of any player that made the knockout stages. He has even helped out defensively especially when manager Zlatko Dalic has dropped Marcelo Brozovic (as against Russia).
Forwards:
RW: Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has arguably been the best attacker in the World Cup so far. The 19-year-old has been the spark for a conservative Les Blues side. He was brilliant in the group stages, scoring an important goal against Peru. However, where he has really shined is in the knockout stages.
Against Argentina, Mbappe put in one of the best one-game performances in this World Cup with one brilliant run and two excellent goals. Even against Uruguay and Belgium, Mbappe has caused numerous problems for opposing defences.
ST: Mario Mandzukic
Mario Mandzukic is the type of striker who lets you forget that he is playing. He doesn’t demand the ball or attempt many long-range shots like (for example) Harry Kane or Robert Lewandowski. Despite “disappearing” for large portions of games, Mandzukic has managed to contribute in a multitude of ways.
His hard pressing has helped trouble both England and Russia’s distribution in defence. He has also converted the two chances he has gotten, scoring the equalizer against Denmark and of course the winner against England.
LW: Ivan Perisic
Ivan Perisic probably would not have made this list if not for his brilliance against England in the semi-final. Particularly in the second half, Perisic was everywhere as he won aerial duels, pressed England’s defence, made key dribbles, accurate crosses and eventually scored a brilliant equalizer.
He could have had another one as he hit the post on another occasion. His overall energy troubled the England defence so much that no one was paying any attention to Mandzukic for Croatia’s winner. That performance helps Perisic make this XI ahead of Blaise Matuidi.
