France looms as the favourite to take out a second World Cup title when it confronts Croatia in the Luzhniki Stadium decider on Monday morning (AEST). It can back up this favouritism with a squad chock-full of talent, pace and variation, as well as a tactical maturity under coach Didier Deschamps. Under Deschamps, Les Bleus have played a slightly more conservative style of football than they are usually famed for. But the results have seen them reach their first World Cup final since 2006, bidding for a second triumph to go with the 1998 victory on home soil.

On paper, we should be expecting Les Bleus to be lifting that famous trophy a second time. Here’s why France is going to win the World Cup:

A stunning team from front to back

Starting from the back, France’s defence is formidable, with Hugo Lloris pulling off a string of superb saves between the sticks throughout the tournament in Russia.

Olivier Giroud kisses Samuel Umtiti after scoring against Belgium
PHOTO: From front to back, France boasts envious talent levels as well as one of the deepest squads of the tournament. (Reuters: Lee Smith)

In front of him, an intimidating back line featuring Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane and Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti is protected by the hyperactive coverage of anchorman N’Golo Kante, arguably the world’s best practitioner at midfield shielding.

Then there’s the attacking talents up front for the French. One man who has yet to shine in Russia, but is made for the big stage, is Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, as intelligent a customer as they come.

Griezmann can switch from playmaker to main goal threat in a heartbeat, and he is supported by perfectly complementary talents in Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud.

In Mbappe, France has one of the world’s greatest young talents available, with the phenom providing pace and verve from the right flank, cutting in to devastating effect as the primary French goal threat.

Giroud up front has struggled this tournament as far as goals are concerned, but he has linked up brilliantly with Griezmann and Mbappe to thread telling passes to the in-form teammates. He also remains a potent danger at set pieces.

Mbappe could be the story of the final

Kylian Mbappe's power slide
PHOTO: At the age of just 19, Kylian Mbappe has lit up the World Cup in Russia.(Reuters: Pilar Olivares)

Right now, Mbappe looms as France’s star man. The 19-year-old has been a sensation at this World Cup, causing opponents all sorts of problems with his pace and movement.

He has three goals to his name in Russia — two against Argentina and the winner against Peru — and he was at the centre of everything good France did against semi-final opponent Belgium.

Mbappe’s sheer speed is the most obvious danger, but the angles of his runs from deep, charging at defenders, and timing of his movement is what makes him such a lethal player, with an eye for a finish thrown in for good measure.

Paul Pogba battles for the ball against Argentina
PHOTO: Paul Pogba has steadily improved throughout the tournament, but will need a big performance in the final. (AP: Ricardo Mazalan)

The danger with France is that it has such a litany of stars that anyone could step up to be counted on the day. Griezmann, Mbappe and Giroud have already been mentioned, but don’t forget midfield powerhouse Paul Pogba.

The midfield dynamo could use the final as a chance to truly ignite, sealing his legacy as one of France’s great players at just 25 years of age.

But didn’t Australia go neck and neck with France earlier?

Kylian Mbappe celebrates goal for France against Argentina
PHOTO: France started slowly in the group stages, before exploding against Argentina in the round of 16. (AP: David Vincent)

This much is true. The Socceroos’ preparation for the World Cup centred around getting off to a good start against mighty France in the two teams’ opening fixture, and Australia definitely did impress in nearly holding the favourites to a draw.

That isn’t how it panned out, ultimately, with a streaky own goal late on giving France a 2-1 win to get its campaign off to a winning start. It then did what it needed to do with a 1-0 win over Peru, before a tedious stalemate against Denmark.

But like in the 2016 Euros, France found its rhythm in a big way in the knockout rounds, pulverising Argentina 4-3 before beating Uruguay 2-0 and edging Belgium 1-0.

The attack has found its rhythm, and the defence is functioning with four clean sheets from six matches.

Okay, tell me why they’ll mess up…

France could botch it all up against Croatia in the same way it lost the Euro 2016 final to Portugal. It could fail to seize the initiative despite having several advantages over Croatia.

Samuel Umtiti heads home France's winner
PHOTO: France needs to find a way to cement its physical advantage over Croatia. (AP: Natacha Pisarenko)

Croatia has shown it’s a seriously fit team after coming through three sets of extra time in the knockout rounds, but France surely has a physical advantage over the Balkan side in the decider.

But like it did in 2006, France could forgo this advantage by playing a largely unchanged XI in the final, bypassing the advantage of having the most talent-stocked squad of 23 in the tournament.

Similarly, Deschamps must ensure Pogba is used to his full capabilities in the final. Against Croatia’s sparkling midfield, the enigmatic Pogba will need to come into his own — a task that has proved difficult for some managers at club level.

But if it can spark up Pogba, and maybe ensure Griezmann finally puts a real stamp on the occasion in Russia, France should have enough in the tank to win the 2018 World Cup.

 

Who Will You Be Supporting? Let us know below.

By james Massdrop

Source ABC.net