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Nicolas Atkin

We’re almost there – the 2018 World Cup final in Russia goes down on Sunday, and history awaits either France of Croatia.
Ahead of the game, which kicks off at 11pm Hong Kong time, here are all the statistics and nuggets of information that you need to know.
The final will be played in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, which was opened in 1956 and has a capacity of 80,000. Built in the 1950s as the flagship stadium of the Soviet Union, it hosted the 1980 Olympic Games and the 2008 Champions League final, when Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties.
The match ball on Sunday is the Telstar 2018, a modern interpretation of the iconic Telstar used from 1970-74, based on a similar carcass to the 2014 Brazuca.

Coaches
France are helmed by Didier Deschamps, who had a distinguished playing career as a defensive midfielder for Les Bleus.
The 49-year-old scored 4 goals in 103 caps, and lifted the 1998 World Cup on home soil as well as the 2000 European Championship in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic was also a defensive midfielder in his playing days, but never earned an international cap.
He was previously an assistant coach for the Croatia Under-21 team, and managed Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates before taking the national job in 2017.

Captains
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris of Tottenham in the Premier League wears the armband for France, while Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is Croatia’s skipper.
Fifa World Cup final preview: France v Croatia prediction, schedule, odds, head-to-head and road to Russia 2018 climax
Head-to-head: France 3 wins, 2 draws
Recent meetings: France 0-0 Croatia (2011), Croatia 2-2 France (2004)
Road to the final :

World Cup records
Games: France W33 D13 L19, Croatia W11 D4 L7
Appearances: France 15, Croatia 5
Best finish: France – winner (1998), Croatia – 3rd (1998)
2014 performance: France – quarter-finals, Croatia – group stage
Belgium v England: Fifa World Cup 2018 third place play-off game prediction, preview, schedule, odds, predicted line-ups, head-to-head
Competition statistics
Goals scored: France 10, Croatia 12
Goals against: France 4, Croatia 5
Total shots: France 75, Croatia 100
Shots on target: France 24, Croatia 26
Passes completed: France 2,331, Croatia 2,757
Corners: France 19, Croatia 34
Possession: France 49 per cent, Croatia 54 per cent

Goals
Kylian Mbappe (France) – 3
Antoine Griezmann (France) – 3
Mario Mandzukic (Croatia) – 2
Ivan Perisic (Croatia) – 2
Luka Modric (Croatia) – 2
Fifa World Cup fantasy football 2018 tips and tricks: forwards, midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers for the final
Total shots
Perisic – 20
Griezmann – 19
Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) – 14
Olivier Giroud (France) – 14
Ante Rebic (Croatia) – 13

Passes
Modric – 368
N’Golo Kante (France) – 317
Rakitic – 309
Raphael Varane (France) – 276
Dejan Lovren (Croatia) – 275
Fifa World Cup 2018 closing ceremony: Will Smith defends Neymar injury play-acting as alphabet meme mocks Brazil star
Probable line-ups
France (4-2-3-1): Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi, Giroud
Croatia (4-4-1-1): Subasic, Vrsalkjo, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rebic, Rakitic, Modric, Perisic, Kramaric, Mandzukic

Previous World Cup winners :
1930 – Uruguay (host: Uruguay)
1934 – Italy (Italy)
1938 – Italy (France)
1950 – Uruguay (Brazil)
1954 – West Germany (Switzerland)
1958 – Brazil (Sweden)
1962 – Brazil (Chile)
1966 – England (England)
1970 – Brazil (Mexico)
1974 – West Germany (West Germany)
1978 – Argentina (Argentina)
1982 – Italy (Spain)
1986 – Argentina (Mexico)
1990 – West Germany (Italy)
1994 – Brazil (US)
1998 – France (France)
2002 – Brazil (South Korea/Japan)
2006 – Italy (Germany)
2010 – Spain (South Africa)
2014 – Germany (Brazil)



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Fifa World Cup 2018

France v Croatia: Fifa World Cup final 2018 stats, line-up predictions, history, previous winners, HK time, match

Alex Li from China wearing Zinedine Zidane’s jersey visits Red Square in Moscow, two days before the 2018 World Cup final between France and Croatia. Photo: AFP

The Luzhniki stadium is illuminated prior to the upcoming World Cup final between France and Croatia in Moscow, Russia, July 12, 2018. As well as shooting all the matches, Reuters photographers are producing pictures showing their own quirky view from the sidelines of the World Cup. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Stats for the World Cup final

epa06881834 Luka Modric (L) of Croatia vies for the ball with Dele Alli (R) of England during the FIFA World Cup 2018 semi final soccer match between Croatia and England in Moscow, Russia, 11 July 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/SERGEI CHIRIKOV EDITORIAL USE ONLY

TOPSHOTS -- AFP PICTURES OF THE YEAR 2014 -- Germany's forward Andre Schuerrle (C) holds the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after his team's victory in the final football match between Germany and Argentina for the FIFA World Cup at The Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 13, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS

A combination of file pictures shows France's goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris in Saint Petersburg on July 10, 2018 and Croatia's midfielder and captain Luka Modric in Nizhny Novgorod on June 21, 2018 during the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. France are firm favourites to win the final showpiece in Moscow on July 15, 2018 and become world champions for the second time -- 20 years after their first triumph in 1998. But they will come up against a hungry Croatia side. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS AND Johannes EISELE

A combination of file pictures shows Croatia's coach Zlatko Dalic (R) in Nizhny Novgorod on July 1, 2018 and France's coach Didier Deschamps in Moscow on June 26, 2018 during the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. Didier Deschamps' team are firm favourites to win the final showpiece in Moscow on July 15, 2018 and become world champions for the second time -- 20 years after their first triumph in 1998. But they will come up against a hungry Croatia side. / AFP PHOTO / Dimitar DILKOFF AND Franck FIFE

FILE PHOTO: France's Kylian Mbappe scores against Argentina in Kazan, Russia - June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Michael Dalder/File Photo

Fifa World Cup fantasy football 2018 tips and tricks: forwards, midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers for the final

Antoine Griezmann is the most picked captain on Fifa’s fantasy football game. Photo: EPA

TOPSHOT - France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris jumps to catch the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Belgium at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 10, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS

Mario Mandzukic (C) of Croatia reacts after scoring his side's second goal against England during the second half of extra time at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia on July 11, 2018. Croatia beat England 2-1. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

France's defender Raphael Varane celebrates the team's victory in the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Belgium at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 10, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS

England's Jordan Henderson trying to stop Croatia's Luka Modric during the semifinal match between Croatia and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, July 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Soccer Football - World Cup - Semi Final - Croatia v England - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 11, 2018 England's Harry Kane applauds their fans after the match REUTERS/Grigory Dukor TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

In this photo taken with slow shutter speed France's Kylian Mbappe runs with the ball during the semifinal match between France and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, July 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group G - England vs Belgium - Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad, Russia - June 28, 2018 Belgium's Marouane Fellaini with England's Gary Cahill and Phil Jones after the match REUTERS/Marko Djurica

epa06882178 Domagoj Vida of Croatia celebrates after Croatia won the FIFA World Cup 2018 semi final soccer match between Croatia and England in Moscow, Russia, 11 July 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/SERGEI CHIRIKOV EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa06878873 Paul Pogba of France reacts after France scored the 1-0 during the FIFA World Cup 2018 semi final soccer match between France and Belgium in St.Petersburg, Russia, 10 July 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/ANATOLY MALTSEV EDITORIAL USE ONLY EPA-EFE/ANATOLY MALTSEV EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Fifa World Cup final preview: France v Croatia prediction, schedule, odds, head-to-head and road to Russia 2018 climax

Luka Modric is crucial to Croatia’s chances. Photo: EPA

France coach Didier Deschamps (facing camera) celebrates with Samuel Umtiti after their team defeated Belgium 1-0 in the World Cup semifinals in St. Petersburg on July 10, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Mario Mandzukic of Croatia scores his side's second goal against England during the second half of extra time at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia on July 11, 2018. Croatia beat England 2-1. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

CUP44D:CUP-SOCCER-FRANCE:PARIS,8JUL98 - Croatia's Davor Suker celebrates his goal against France in a semi-final World Cup finals match July 8. jes/Photo by Grigory Dukor REUTERS

TOPSHOT - France's defender Samuel Umtiti celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Belgium at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 10, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS

Belgium v England: Fifa World Cup 2018 third place play-off game prediction, preview, schedule, odds, predicted line-ups, head-to-head

Will Eden Hazard and Harry Kane get a run out in Moscow? Photo: AFP

From left: Englands' Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Fabian Delph attend England's official training in Zelenogorsk near St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, July 13, 2018, on the eve of the third place match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Soccer Football - World Cup - Belgium Training - Belgium Training Site, Moscow, Russia - July 13, 2018 Belgium coach Roberto Martinez is greeted by players and coaching staff at the start of training REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group G - Belgium vs Tunisia - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - June 23, 2018 Belgium's Eden Hazard in action with Tunisia's Ellyes Skhiri REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. SEARCH "FIFA BEST" FOR ALL PICTURES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Soccer Football - World Cup - Belgium Training - Belgium Training Site, Moscow, Russia - July 13, 2018 Belgium's Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel during training REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Soccer Football - World Cup - Belgium Press Conference - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - July 13, 2018 Belgium coach Roberto Martinez during the press conference REUTERS/Toru Hanai

England's coach Gareth Southgate and England's midfielder Fabian Delph hold a press conference at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 13, 2018 on the eve of the Russia 2018 World Cup third place football match between Belgium and England. / AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

epa06848438 Adnan Januzaj of Belgium celebrates scoring the 1-0 lead during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group G preliminary round soccer match between England and Belgium in Kaliningrad, Russia, 28 June 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/ARMANDO BABANI EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa06885210 England's head coach Gareth Southgate during a training session at the Spartak Zelenogorsk Stadium, Zelenogorsk, Russia 13 July 2018. England will face Belgium on 14 of July in Saint Petersburg, in their match for third place of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

England coach Gareth Southgate (C,L) and striker Harry Kane (C,R) look dispirited after losing to Croatia in the football World Cup semifinals at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia on July 11, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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All the statistics and information you need to know as France and Croatia get set to bring Russia 2018 to a close in Moscow


France v Croatia: Fifa World Cup final 2018 stats, line-up predictions, history, previous winners, HK time, match

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}All the statistics and information you need to know as France and Croatia get set to bring Russia 2018 to a close in Moscow

All the statistics and information you need to know as France and Croatia get set to bring Russia 2018 to a close in Moscow