2018 World Cup Final

How quickly the 2018 version of the World Cup is coming to an end. One of the things why the World Cup is special is that you can only plot your revenge only four years later and you need to continuously plan your assault immediately. Before this World Cup started, France was slated as fourth favourite by the bookmakers while Croatia was way behind, even behind England. Belgium was rated better than England and rightly so due to their Golden Generation but we know not all Golden Generation have won their Cup. We know all about Brazil, Germany, Spain and Portugal but I knew France was the most talented squad with the greatest strength in depth with my only doubt being Didier Deschamps' indoctrination of his team. I never doubted Croatia's talent. They will always be one of the better teams and they have some great individuals as well despite having only a population of 4.16 million. England should do reasonably well not because of what they are but rather what they are not. Gareth Southgate was few people's cup of tea but he has proved from qualification stage to be a master. He carefully dropped Rooney and Joe Hart without fanfare nor a whimper. He picked players to form a team where he knew how he wanted to play. Pickford, Stones and Maguire are clear indications how he wanted to play from the back. He handled the press well and has fashion sense to boot.

Today's World Cup for a start is different from the days from the 70s, 80s, 90s or even or even 10-15 years ago. In all the richest big leagues in the world - England, Spain, Germany, France and Italy for example, you will find players from all over Europe, Africa and Latin America playing their trade there. Ditto for the managers and coaches. Players and coaches knew each other and their systems like never before. In fact, Brazil is playing more like a European team these days. You will also notice that the game has changed in that it is all about physicality and speed. Since a few years ago, you get to see that in today's game, possession is not everything. Barcelona and Spain's tiki taka works because they have the masters for the system - Messi, Xavi, Iniesta for Barca. Messi could not replicate it for Argentina. In the English Premier League and Champions League or the Europa for some years now, not many teams that hogged possession wins. This has extended to this World Cup. To some who do not follow soccer as closely, you may have found some new names to chew on but players like Kylian Mbappe has been around for a few years now despite being only 19. You may wish to take note of one 18 year old called Rhian Brewster who plays for Liverpool and England's Underage group and was the U-17 World Cup top scorer. Ivan Rikitic and Lukas Modric and Ivan Perisic have been playing for their countries and Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan for some time. Perisic may be a winger, but look at his physical attributes - 1.87m, 80kg and a face full of determination and he will take you on till the end. Patriotism means different thing to different people even if it means just the vigorous support for one's country. Ironically, we have not seen a totally outstanding footballer in the World Cup so far. No one in the Maradona or Johan Cruyff class. Now let's talk about the World Cup Final on Sunday and before that a little about third placing on Saturday.

Belgium v England

Belgium swarmed France but lost by that single Umtiti goal from a corner despite the upper hand in possession. As the game progressed, Belgium became disjointed. Lukaku was forlorn and seemed heavy-laden. Eden Hazard began playing just as an individual and Kevin De Bruyne lost his effectiveness. It is always a game of margins.

England who have already exceeded themselves had a dream start with a gem of a free kick goal by Kieran Trippier against a very experienced and excellent goalie in Danijel Subasic. In the first 20 to 30 minutes, Croatia was rattled and were even misplacing their passes. England had a couple of great chance which they should have buried. Kane and Lingard wasted golden opportunities and John Stones later had a stupendous header cleared just off the line. In many games especially games like this, you have to killed the game off and when you failed to so and when the opponents got encouraged, you will find yourself in trouble. An inexperienced team against a team of veterans with vast exposure. It showed that you should not play the fool with old men. The contrast became clear by second half. I have often said for many years now England lacks not just experience but something more important - guile. That was the stark difference. Plus if you may know, no player in the mould of Modric who can dictate play.

FIFA has toyed with or lobbied to scrap third and fourth placing which has no meaning. Many tournaments have no more such placings except the World Cup. The motivational level for this match will surely be different to the Final. Will Roberto Martinez and Garth Southgate still want to fight for whatever and nothing except whatever pride is left or will they use it for experiment and experience meaning to give those who cam but never had a chance to play some play time to gain and  take away? Like change a goal keeper, a defender, a midfielder and a striker. It makes sense to me. Lukaku and Kane will be kept as there is the top scorer stake in contention. England are the younger team with many still around for contention. If Southgate can have the master plan to keep and groom their current U-20 Euro Champions and U-17 World Champions and blend them with the current and ongoing squad, they can be a force in future World Cups. Belgium will regroup. They have always been a good World Cup nation providing some of the finest players and start as favourites and both sides should settle their score by regulation time. Unfortunately, both times they meet, the games become meaningless. It seems it could be an open game and may even play like and EPL game. Maybe this time, England may turn the tables and once again score through set pieces. In the last few World Cup third placing, Netherlands 3 Brazil 0 (2014), Germany 3 Uruguay 2 (2010), Germany 3 Portugal 1 (2006) and Turkey 3 S. Korea 2 (2002). So I think it could be high scoring no stakes game that could go either way. Belgium 2 England 3. Or Belgium 3 England 2.

France v Croatia

That was Deschamps plan in that he either absolutely believe that his defence is that good that they could take all the pressure and hit Belgium on the counter but that was totally Deschamps. You see he is like a duplicate of Jose Mourinho. Despite the wealth of talents at his disposal, he has chosen pragmatism. Very defensive, strike fast on the counter and close shop. This is boring and may just win him the title because Lloris was excellent at goal and the outstanding defender for me has to be Raphael Varane but oblivious to many of us, you have to understand the great works of this small chap N'golo Kante who is only 1.68m. They called him the man with 15 lungs and who first came to fame when he helped Leicester City win the Premier League before Chelsea snatched him away. Paul Pogba has shown greater discipline so France has two layers of midfielders. How do you say ''Kiasu'' in French. It is called ''peur de perdre''. Alain Giruod on his day, scores the finest goals but he has drawn a blank. Perhaps he is the perfect decoy for Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. One with phenomenal speed and the other twinkle toes. They will be decisive.

However, although Mbappe has been explosive, the player of this tournament could be Luka Modric once of Tottenham Hotspur simply because he was influential in every match and he wanted every ball and hardly did he ever gave the ball away plus he has scored a couple. What a player! At 32, this could be his last World Cup. Croatia has the world's best midfield, therefore they will control the game but France is hard to break down. You will soon realise that England had lost to a very good team. Croatia have a fearless defence that can play through pain like goalie Danijel Subasic. Dejab Lovren often persecuted at Liverpool, played his guts out and I like Domagoj Vida not just for his hairstyle but he is really so good I think Liverpool should sign him. Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Perisic are worth a goal.

I could visualise how France would have themselves in their trench patiently defending and once they got the ball, break out to counter super fast. Croatia will dominate possession as they are excellent passers. I always love the underdogs and hope Croatia would win as they have already achieved their best ever World Cup position. Just one more match to be Champions of the World. There is only one problem I have observed. Croatia drew 1-1 with Denmark, went to extra-time and won on penalty kicks. Drew Russia 2-2 and went to extra-time and won on penalty kicks. They drew England 1-1 and won in extra-time.

This means that Croatia can't win in regulation time and will need to win in extra-time or penalties. In the meantime, France has always won in regulation time. 4-3 over Argentina, 2-0 over Uruguay and 1-0 over Belgium. If Croatia could stretch over to extra-time and beyond, they may have a chance as they are the most experienced team. France has hardly been stretched into deploying their plan B. If required Ousmane Dembele, Thomas Lemar, Nabil Fekir could be effective.

France 2 Croatia 1.