FIFA World Cup final: Croatia vs France - Three key battles

The final between France and Croatia has plenty of contests that could light up the Luzhniki Stadium tonight. TOI takes a look at some of the key individual match-ups that could determine the eventual outcome of the clash which the entire world will be glued to...

N’GOLO KANTE (FRA) VS LUKA MODRIC (CRO)
Luka Modric, the Croatian captain, has played more minutes than any other player in the World Cup and dictated terms from the midfield.In the final, he will be up against N’Golo Kante who plays the disruptor role for France with his timely interceptions and tackles. Modric has to be at his very best as an attacking midfielder to find a way past Kante in the final for Croatia to have any chance against the experience of France.

KYLIAN MBAPPE (FRA) VS IVAN STRINIC (CRO)
The wonderkid from Bondy, Kylian Mbappe has added the much-needed element of unpredictability to France’s otherwise set pattern of play with his electric pace. He has not added to his two goals against Argentina but has been a constant menace, and Ivan Strinic on the left of Croatia’s defence would be wary of Mbappe’s threat. Strinic may be replaced by Josip Pivaric if the former has not recovered from his injury.

BENJAMIN PAVARD (FRA) VS IVAN PERISIC (CRO)
Ivan Perisic has been the tireless worker down the left wing for Croatia for years. Perisic’s energy was too much to handle for England in the semifinal and in the final he will be up against France’s young gun Benjamin Pavard. Perisic will be looking to exploit the relative lack of experience of the France right-back to create chances for Croatia while Pavard will treat this as a golden opportunity to show the world what he is made of.