Minnows Croatia take on the mighty France but such has been the unpredictability of this World Cup that ruling out Zlatko Dalic and his band of defiant men will be folly.
France’s manager, Didier Deschamps, aims to become only the third man in history after Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and Brazil’s Mário Zagallo to win the World Cup as both player and manager.
Such is the difference in footballing pedigree between the two countries that when Deschamps lifted the trophy on home soil in 1998 as captain, Dalic was travelling to France to witness the tournament as a fan. But regardless of who wins this — plucky Croatia or giants France — this has been one hell of a ride for the past one month.
Along the way there has been unadulterated jubilation and overwhelming despair, legends of yore have said their goodbyes and new heroes have made their mark, old empires have fallen and new ones are slowly being built in their place. Russia 2018 has been a World Cup of transition, seeing several changings of the guards.
But, like every World Cup, it has been a festival that has transcended sport in a way that only the World Cup can. Fears of hooliganism, racism and even terrorism had gripped the world before the tournament began but almost all stories have been positive. Russia, along the way, has improved its reputation not only as a footballing team but as a host nation.
For one beautiful month, not only Europe but the entire world stood united under the banner of football. Today it ends, leaving behind memories that will long be cherished and remembered.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2018.
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