France- World Cup Champions 1998, now- World Cup Champions 2018

Class of '98- the Past; Class of 2018- the Present!

Didier Deschamps, Fabian Barthez, Zinedine Zidane and a young Thierry Henry- 1998.

Didier Deschamps, Hugo Lloris, Antoine Griezmann and a young Kylian Mbappe-2018.

France 1998- Champions
Credit: Google.com

20 years on, the name, Didier Deschamps stands tall. He became, only the third footballer to lift the World Cup as a player and a coach. He was the player cum captain in 1998, He is the Coach in 2018. While, Deschamps, the captain, had the likes of Zidane & Henry at his disposal, Deschamps, the coach had the following XI to call upon at the Luzhniki stadium, Moscow:

1) The 'Dependable' Hugo Lloris (c) standing guard between the posts.

2) The 'Mighty Steel Leg' Benjamin Pavard striking them hard from 25 yards.

3) The 'Wall of Barca' Samuel Umtiti spelling doom for the 'high flying' Belgians.

4) The 'Golden Head' Raphael Varane started the procession against 'La Celeste'

5) The 'Machine' Lucas Hernandez, bombing up and down the left flank.

6) The 'Mercurial Red Devil' Paul Pogba, pulling the chords from central mid-field.

7) The 'He Can' N'Golo Kante, notching up mile after mile on Russian soil.

8) The 'Blazing' Blaise Matuidi, breaking up all attacks on the Left.

9) The 'Ballon D'or prospect' Antoine Griezmann, France's creator in chief.

10 The ' Scorpion King' Olivier Giroud, zero shots on Target, yet 564 minutes of footballing action.

11) The ' Pele of 2018' Kylian Mbappe, the lightening of Mbappe stuck 4 times at the Russian World Cup.

France-2018 Champions
Credit: Google.com

The whole world watched as these 11 french warriors took the field against the Croatian Soldiers. The Croats had played out of their skins throughout the tournament to reach the final. Croatia had braved extra time twice in three knockout matches while France had faced none. They were adept at closing matches in the stipulated time. Why wouldn't they? With a solid back-line and one of the most creative midfield trio backing them, the French attackers had their task cutout. An Antoine Greizmann free-kick led to an own goal by Mario Mandzukic. The prolific scorer for Croatia finding the wrong end within the first 20 mins. It took 10 mins for Croatia to equalize and keep their title hopes alive. Ivan Perisic and his left foot coming to the rescue again at the end of a well planned move.             

Paul Pogba at his soaring best.
Credit: Google.com

VAR, the Video Assistant Referee had a field day at the Russian World Cup. It was apt that technology would raise its head again in the final to wrap up an eventful tournament. Perisic, the hero from the semi-finals couldn't avoid the ball hitting his left arm. The Croatian players and its fans stood still as the On-Field Referee, Nestor Pitana pointed for the Spot-kick post consultation with VAR. Antoine Griezmann then, maintained his perfect record of dispatching the penalties taking France to a 2-1 lead at half-time. There was belief among the French walking down the tunnel, while the Croatians tried to motivate themselves for another testing 45 minutes of their career.

Mbappa- the young sensation
Credit: Google.com

The second half didn't have any major surprises. Paul Pogba scored from outside the box, Mandzukic scored after a 'Hugo Lloris' howler and Mbappe wrapped up the tournament in favor of the French contingent. Croatia won a lot of hearts at the World Cup, their 'never say never' attitude led them to the finals fighting the best competition at stake. But, France were indeed the deserving champions. They came unscathed out of a tricky group, thrashed the South American duo of Argentina & Uruguay, won against the pre-tournament favorites, Belgium and produced a clinical display in the Final. They had talent and passion in tandem. They had built a team based on its requirements rather than the credentials. Players like Frank Ribery, Karim Benzema missed out to the likes of Steven Nzonzi and Adil Rami.

Deschamps & team, did their homework well and ensured success for France. Coach Deschamps took over the reigns in the year 2012. He had to face a Quarterfinal ouster against Germany in WC 2014. He followed it up with a Final showdown with Portugal in Euro 2016. The Extra time loss to Portugal must have been at the forefront of his mind, as France took the field in the Final at Moscow. Indeed! France, rested the demons of Paris 2016 and replaced the same with Euphoria in Paris 2018. Given the current age of the French players, France would look forward to Qatar 2022.

Didier Deschamps- the Glorious Coach!
Credit: Google.com

One last time, from India, in Russian, "Dasvidaniya"

P.S: Cristiano Ronaldo, will now ply his trade for 'The Old Lady' :) !!

Russia's knock-out rounds of Football WC- Round of 16 & Quarter-Finals!

No Suarez, No Neymar, No Messi, No Ronaldo either!

Too Fast for Rojo?
Credit: Google.com

Mbappe's Greasy pace & Muslera's Karius moment:

Argentina had a 'MessI' world cup until Marcus Rojo came up with a late winner against the Nigerians. Rojo was Argentina's 'Hero' that night. Alas! He couldn't repeat the heroics against the young fast legs of one, Kylian Mbappe. 3 of the four french goals had Mbappe's hand. Or should I say, his feet. France's performance was ruthless against the men from South America. They had another match against a team from the same continent in the Quarterfinals, Uruguay. 

Muslera or Karius?
Credit: Google.com

Unlike 'La Albiceleste', 'La Celeste' were having their best World Cup yet. But they had their Hero from the last round, Edinson Cavani absent for the crucial encounter. His double against Portugal ensured Cristiano Ronaldo will have to wait another 4 years to pursue his World Cup dream. Cavani's absence meant Godin's men would need a stupendous effort against Didier Deschamp's men. Two kicks from Antoine Greizman, one headed in by Madrid's Rafael Varane and another parried into his own net by Fernando Muslera, were enough to see the French through to their first semi-final since 1998.

Japan's Annihilation & De Bruyne's scorcher:

The last kick of the match- Japan Out!
Credit: Google.com

Asia's last hope, Japan were up by 2 goals against the high flying Belgian side. But, the Red Devils had other plans. Vertonghen started the process in the 69th minute, Maraune Fellaini's head ensured an equalizer in the 74th minute. Extra time was inevitable when Japan had a bout of heroism and deployed their entire squad for the killer move. Alas! A fast counter-attack culminated in a Nacer Chadli winner for Roberto Martinez and his men. 

The De Bruyne 'Missile'
Credit: Google.com

Brazil and Neymar were the two big names left at the Quarterfinal stage. Both names were wiped out by Belgium's pragmatic approach. Neymar and his theatrics were enough to overcome the Mexican challenge at the Samara Arena. They were then foiled by Kevin De Bruyne's magical strike from outside the box. Russia's Kazan Arena witnessing the last sojourn of the talented Brazilian side. 

Saint Petersburg will witness a colorful clash between the 'Blues' and the 'Reds' from Europe on June 10th. 

Croatia, Russia and plenty of Penalties:

Another Penalty Shootout- Another Victory
Credit: Google.com

Luka Modric had the chance to seal a 2-1 victory for the Croatians. With the entire world at his feet, the Real Madrid playmaker placed his shot into the doting arms of Kasper Schmeichel. A proud Peter watching his son save millions of Danish hopes and taking the match into Extra time. Penalties ensued. Schmeichel couldn't replicate his efforts in the shootout and was outplayed by one, Daniejl Subasic of Croatia, who save 3 penalties, a joint World Cup record. The Croats winning 3-2 on penalties.

The Modric 'Talisman'
Credit: Google.com

Russia, on the other hand had the Spanish Goliath facing them at the Luzhniki stadium. The team from Spain marred by the controversial sacking of their talisman, coach Julen Lopetegui, couldn't progress beyond the round of 16. Igor Akinfeev saved Iago Aspas's penalty shocking the champions from the 2010 World Cup. Their Quarterfinal against Croatia would be another cracker of an encounter. The match tied at 1-1 progressed to extra time where Domagoj Vida placed the croatian side ahead only to be equalized by a last minute Fernandez header. An injured Subacic, again using his golden gloves to take the Croatians to the Semi-finals. A feat achieved by the legendary batch of 1998 when they faced France in France.

It's coming home: England Fans:

Pickford with the PICK of his many saves
Credit: Google.com

David Seaman, David James, Paul Robinson and Joe Hart. Add Jordan Pickford to the list of legendary English Goalkeepers. The 6 foot 1 inch giant ensured the Swedish strikers couldn't breach his defense in the Quarter finals. The young custodian pulled one save after another to ensure the English side made it into the semifinals on Wednesday. A few days before, Pickford's Penalty Shootout saves against a passionate Colombian side won England, its first ever shootout at the World Cups. 

England, the home of Football since long haven't tasted success at the World Cup since 1966. They were dismantled by the legendary Brazilians in 2002, shot-out by the Portuguese in 2006, robbed by the Germans in 2010 (Goal Line Technology, where were you?) and left humbled at the Group stage in 2014. 2018 Semifinals will give the young men led by Gareth Southgate, an opportunity at the Holy grail of Football. With the talent and passion at his disposal, the Russian World Cup is a Golden opportunity.

They Believe, England Believes
Credit:Google.com

Croatia vs England at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow to follow on Wednesday,11th June.

2018 Russian World Cup has been a delight till date. With 4 matches remaining, we are all set for the finish of a lifetime.

From India, in Russian, "Dasvidaniya" .

P.S: The words are mine, the pictures aren't :) !!