World Cup final: Croatia vs. France Moscow 10 a.m. • Ch. 9
World rankings
Croatia 20, France 7
WHY FRANCE WILL WIN
Les Bleus have an average age of just over 26, one of the youngest in the tournament, and an exciting, speedy spark in 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe, who will be difficult for Croatia to contain. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris provides the ability to come up with big saves.
WHY CROATIA WILL WIN
Luka Modric, who is still in his prime at 32, remains one of the world's dynamic playmakers. He feeds Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic, who have provided important goals in the knockout matches.
PROJECTED LINEUPS
France: 4-2-3-1 Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Kante, Pogba; Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud.
Croatia: 4-2-3-1 Subasic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic; Rakitic, Modric; Rebic, Kramaric, Perisic; Mandzukic.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Nestor Pitana of Argentina will referee the final after working Russia's 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the opener. The 43-year-old Pitana also officiated Sweden's 3-0 group-stage victory over Mexico, Croatia's penalty-kick win against Denmark in the round of 16 and France's 2-0 quarterfinal triumph over Uruguay. He worked four games at the 2014 World Cup, including Germany's 1-0 win over France in the quarterfinals and the United States' 2-2 draw with Portugal in the group stage.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
France won its only World Cup title at home in 1998, beating Brazil 3-0. Zinedine Zidane scored two goals and Emmanuel Petit added the other. Les Blues lost the 2006 final to Italy 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw. Zidane was given a red card in the 110th minute by Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo for head-butting Marco Materazzi in response to a verbal provocation. David Trezeguet hit the crossbar with France's second penalty kick in the shootout, and Italy won when Fabio Grosso converted the Azzurri's fifth kick.
