World Cup final: Les Bleus vs. The Blazers...
Parents and Friends,
The men’s World Cup only comes around once every four years and that’s what makes it so special!
And after a month of competition, excitement, great goals and games, what’s been a fantastic tournament will conclude today with the final.
The semis wrapped up Wednesday and of course there was lots of drama and talking points
- France beat Belgium 1-0 and will play in their third World Cup final (1998, 2006, 2018). Only Germany (8) and Italy (6) have reached more finals among European nations.
- Les Bleus ended Roberto Martinez’s men 24-match unbeaten streak, a run that stretched back to his first game in charge, a friendly against Spain in September 2016.
- Croatia defeated England 2-1 and Gareth Southgate’s side became only the second team to be ahead at half-time in a World Cup semi-final and not win (hosts Italy lost to Argentina in 1990 on penalties).
- The Three Lions have been eliminated in their last four semi-finals at major tournaments (Yugoslavia 1968, West Germany 1990, Germany 1996, Croatia 2018).
The final: France v Croatia, Sunday 8 a.m. (Fox)
France manager Didier Deschamps captained Les Bleus to victory as hosts in 1998.
He could now become the third man in history to win the tournament as both player and manager after Brazil's Mario Zagallo and Germany's Franz Beckenbauer.
Deschamps rebuilt following the disappointment of seeing his side lose the Euro 2016 final to Portugal in Paris.
Two years on only nine players survive from that squad with six that started the final in the Stade De France expected to play against Croatia: Lloris, Umtiti, Matuidi, Pogba, Griezmann and Giroud.
This will be Croatia's first appearance in a World Cup final and they could be the ninth country to win the competition.
The Blazers nearly stopped France in their first appearance back in 1998 but lost 2-1 in the semi-final.
Zlatko Dalic’s side have shown great steel, determination and spirit at this tournament eliminating Denmark, Russia and England in the knockout stages.
All three games went to extra-time and two of those games were won on penalties.
The last three finals have all gone to extra-time. A good omen for Dalic’s men!
The key battle will be in central midfield where Chelsea’s defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante and Real Madrid’s playmaker Luka Modric will lock horns.
Modric likes to dictate the tempo and reducing his options on the ball will be the key to limiting Croatia’s attacking threat.
Chat soon,
Patrick
Soccer 1:1
P.S. I will be running a free skills clinic for 5,6 and 7-year old’s this Friday afternoon (July 20th) in San Francisco. Reach out if you’re interested!
