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Not the Final we need, but the one we deserve


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After thirty days of football action, we're finally here. Plenty of goals, assists, injuries, controversies, and especially plenty of surprises have come and gone during the course of this tournament.
With 63 games behind us, there's only one game remaining that will determine the champion. France and Croatia have proven their permanence in this tournament.

Croatia finished atop of Group D, winning all three games assuredly: they controlled a speedy Nigeria 2-0, dominated Argentina 3-0, and defeated Iceland 2-1. Nine points and an undefeated record led them to a Ro16 match against Denmark. It took blood, sweat, and tears to come out barely alive in penalties. Croatia faced Russia next, and once again it took penalties to defeat Russia at home.

France finished atop a much harder Group C. While placing first is always a feat, France did not do so as convincingly as we expected. They ended with 7 points: it took a late goal by Paul Pogba to defeat Australia 2-1, a lucky goal by Mbappe to beat Peru, and France settled for a boring 0-0 draw with Denmark. We all know what happened next, France ERUPTED against Argentina to win 4-3 and then calmly beat Uruguay 2-0.

Once settled in the semifinals, France had the pleasure to face Belgium, while Croatia played against England. While analyzing the best possible final from the matchups, I decided that France vs. Croatia would have been the most interesting for myself. There were several reasons that made me come to that conclusion:

  1. I didn't want England ANYWHERE near a final, let them lose (and they did).
  2. Luka Modric is the greatest human being and he deserves a World Cup.
  3. Recently, Mbappe became the second-youngest player ever to score two goals in a knockout stage game (vs Argentina). Pele holds that record at 17, the same year he won his first ever World Cup. So imagine this, Mbappe now becomes the second-youngest player EVER to lead his country to a World Cup, right in the footsteps of Pele. It can easily elevate him into GOAT conversation within the next few years. I'm loving all of it.
Fortunately, France beat Belgium 1-0 off a Samuel Umtiti header in a corner kick. They held back and defended against Belgium's relentless attack, and advanced. Croatia stunned England 2-1, after going into extra time for the THIRD STRAIGHT GAME. YES THIRD. THAT'S 360 MINUTES OVER THE LAST 3 GAMES. THAT IS 6 HOURS OF PLAYING TIME. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY MADE IT BUT THEY DID. Hats off to them.

Now for predictions: I personally believe France will win tomorrow 2-1. France is overall a superior team, and as much as I would LOVE to see Croatia pull off the impossible, I don't see them winning. I believe Mbappe will score a goal to cement his AWESOMEness, and they will score another goal off a set piece (cause France always manages to score those). I gave Croatia a goal, probably a penalty scored by Modric. I just want Modric to score honestly. Congrats, your new champion is France. 




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