3 Things You Need to Know About the World Cup Final

The final games of the FIFA World Cup will be played this weekend

62 matches after, it’s down to the final two games; more important of which is the final of the biggest football event known to mankind.

It’s been an eventful tournament so far. From a number of goals being scored to shocking exits, surprising score-lines and all, the journey to this final has been worth the while.

Although the countdown to the Qatar 2022 World Cup will resume starting next week, the final between France and Croatia will have to take centre stage first this Sunday.

It can be said that this has been a surprising World Cup… one that has produced two surprising finalists in France and Croatia. As we anticipate the final, here are five things you need to know about this final:

1. Croatia is yet to defeat France

In recent meetings between both countries, Croatia has yet to get the better of the French national team. Both sides have faced each other four times since 1998. The first two games ended in defeat for the Croatians with the following two games ending in draws (2-2, 0-0).

2. The stats

Since the tournament began, both teams have played five games each.

For the French team, they’ve only failed to score once in those five games – the game against Denmark. In the other four games, they scored 10 goals, an average of over 2,5 goals per game.

For Croatia, they’re one of the few teams that have managed to score in every game they have played in this tournament. They have scored 12 goals so far; an average of over 2 goals per game.

3. The other stats

Both teams have prided themselves on having a solid defense. Didier Deschamps’ men have only conceded four goals while the Croatians have conceded five. This means both teams have conceded an average of less than one goal per game.

Of the 10 goals that France have scored, they’ve scored five from open play; two from set-piece situations, an own goal and two penalties. A breakdown of Croatia’s 12 goals has involved eight goals being scored from open play, one from set-piece play, one penalty, one own goal and one counter-attacking play.

France has attempted an average of 12.5 shots per game while Croatia has attempted an average of 16.7 shots per game. This means both sides play free-flowing football, boasting attacking players that create a lot of goal-scoring chances.

Which of these two teams do you think will win the game and lift the FIFA World Cup trophy? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts with us.