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' :) !!