By Meletus EZE
Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard scored in the fourth and 82nd minutes, respectively, of the game in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to give the Belgians a much-anticipated victory and a third place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The result improved Belgium’s best performance record in the top international football event as they had last left the World Cup on fourth place in 1986.
Belgium dominated the first half against an England that had made five changes to the team that lost the semi-final to Croatia. Coach Gareth Southgate’s changes in the break gave England a better control in the second half but nothing changed on the score line.
The tournament’s top scorer and England captain Harry Kane failed to add to his tally of six goals as a solid Belgian defence line successfully smothered chances by the seemingly tired English players.
Besides securing the third place, Belgium finished the World Cup with another special record to remember. Ten members of the star-studded squad managed to score during the tournament, putting the Belgians on par with France in 1982 and Italy in 2006.
Belgium’s Spanish coach Roberto Martinez hailed the sense of unity and togetherness in his team, saying it was the key to Belgium’s success in the World Cup.
“What we have seen in this World Cup is that the players did not want to rely on talent anymore, they wanted to rely on working as a team, becoming a group of players that would do anything to achieve results,” said Martinez, adding, “It’s all about that achievement. I think these players deserve that.”
Today’s final game of the 2018 World Cup between Croatia and France here at the 80,000-seating capacity Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow is evoking memories of 1998 semi -final clash between the two gladiators on parade this evening.
Twenty years ago, Croatia, attended her first World Cup after declaring independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and fought a war of liberation till 1995. Technically, Croatia had barely three years of serious preparations before arriving in France for her debut at the global football showpiece. Croatia made history despite losing in the semi – final to France.
In that epic semi – final clash two decades ago at the Stade de France in St Denis, the first half ended goalless. The second half sprang into life with Croatia’s top goal scorer DavorSuker firing the Vatreni into the lead. Croatia’s advantage lasted only a minute though, as defender LilianThuram stole possession on top of Croatia’s penalty area before lashing home his first goal in a France shirt.
Incredibly, Thuram was not finished yet. He scored the winning goal in the 70th minute making it 2-1 with a curling shot that any striker would be proud of. That was how France ended the fairy-tale run of the new independent nation with this reporter in the Media Tribune that breezy evening in France.
Fast forward 20 years after, Croatia and France are here again not battling for the ticket to the final but aiming for the ultimate trophy. Will the battle-weary Croats succumb again like they did that night in St Denis or will they seek to avenge that defeat with a bigger price? Can Croatia do better than their heroes of ‘98 – or will it be Didier Deschamps’ day once again in world football’s biggest game?
Speaking at yesterday’s pre-match briefing, Dalic insisted that statistics and record are there to be broken. He insisted that Croatia have nothing to worry about going into this evening’s grand finale.
“Statistics and records are here to be broken. It does not matter who is our opponent in the final. It is our goal to give our best, the whole world will be watching Croatia. We came here to enjoy the game and to win it. My players have played a lot of matches in the Champions League – including finals – but this is the biggest game of their careers,” stressed Dalic who unlike Deschamps never had the opportunity to play for Croatia.
Croatia’s route to this final has been littered with sweat and blood just like the country’s road to freedom. The Vatreni have played all their last three matches to this final in extra time! This ‘golden generation’ led by Luka Modric, will not be overawed by the fact they are simply in the final; Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic have already scored goals in past UEFA Champions League finals and this game appears not different from the stage they have strut their skills at club levels.
Deschamps is expected to stick with the formation and line-up that has served him so well to this final. That means a 4-2-3-1 with Olivier Giroud at centre-forward. The striker is doing great work to put the opposition defenders under pressure and create space for Antoine Griezmann and KylianMbappe to combine. Much has been made of the fact that he still hasn’t scored any goals at this World Cup? But so what – Les Bleus became world champions in 1998 without any goals from their No 9, StephaneGuivarc’h! To get here, Luka Modric and company topped their Group D by beating Nigeria, Argentina, and Iceland. However, the knockout stages put Croatia through the wringer. They needed penalties to beat Denmark and hosts Russia before edging out England 2-1 with an extra-time winner from Mario Mandzukic.
France on the other hand, finished top of Group C by beating Australia and Peru before a goalless draw with Denmark to clinch the number one spot. Their most challenging game of the tournament thus far was arguably the 4-3 win over South American giants Argentina in the last 16.
Les Bleus were level at 2-2 with the Albiceleste, but a brace from KylianMbappe saw them secure the win before a consolation strike from Sergio Aguero. They then beat Uruguay 2-0 in the quarter final before clinching the ticket to the final with a 1-0 defeat of star-studded Belgium.
While the headlines will be dominated by outfield stars such as KylianMbappe and Luka Modric, France and Croatia can thank their goalkeepers for their spots in the upcoming FIFA World Cup Final. Both Hugo Lloris and DanijelSubasic have been in top form for their respective sides, producing a steady supply of miraculous saves and penalty heroics respectively en route to today’s decider.
