Posted on 07/15/2018 2:44:46 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
And then there were two. 63 games filled with drama, intrigue, set-piece goals and surprise results have determined our finalists: France and Croatia. There is a distinctly 1998 feel to this World Cup Final, evoking more than a few memories of the global finals which saw France emerge victorious on home soil two decades ago.
Vatreni will be out for revenge from their final four defeat against Les Bleus back in 1998, with the then debutants denied a place in a maiden Final by Lilian Thuram's only international goals. France will be hoping their captain in the Final that followed that semi-final victory just over 20 years ago is their good luck charm at the Luzhniki Stadium. Didier Deschamps could become only the third man - after Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer - to lift the Trophy as a player and coach, if he can replicate from the dugout the successful Final he had against A Seleção in 1998.
(Excerpt) Read more at fifa.com ...
Croatia has the early possession advantage, they need a goal to show for it.
OG Mandzukic 1-0 France.
Croatia has ‘em right where they want them. ;)
OMG!!!
Mandzukic own goal!
France 1-0
Feel bad for Mandzukic. He played some years for Bayern Munich. As a child he fled to Germany from Croatia as a war refugee. Stayed some years till it was safe to return.
Another player for Croatia has the same war refugee story but forget who.
So, conceivably he could have played for Germany.
TIED!
Croatia Goal! 1-1
We got a FINAL!
I think there are few more goals left in this one.
Both goals set pieces.
The way the ball bounced from head to head was entertaining - Lol!
Croatia Is playing extremely well. I am impressed. Tough no BS players.
That’s a handball.
Going to be a penalty for France.
****Communist Kickball.****
Was a soccer-mom and now a soccer gran’ma. Also, as a young school girl I watched my male classmates play soccer during recess and on weekends.
Decided to watch the pros in the World Cup and was astonished at the lack of speed, foot work and parrying that I remembered. It seems that the players just kick the ball, long and slow with very little interaction between them.
Very dull.
Will they get the free kick?
It is a Penalty.
Yep. It was 50-50. Croatia going to have to spot France 2?
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