MOSCOW (Reuters) - A guide to the Croatia starting 11 ahead of the World Cup final against France. However, Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic is confident his defence can deal with the Tottenham Hotspur striker. The Real Madrid orchestrator-in-chief has known no bounds in Russia, covering a colossal 63 kilometers so far in the tournament - more than any other player. Interestingly, the English have not beaten two European nations in a single World Cup since 1982, when they beat the old Czechoslovakia and France. The day following Ronaldo's three goals, Messi had a penalty saved against Iceland and had to settle for a 1-1 draw. By far and away his country’s current leading marksman, Mandzukic has saved his World Cup goalscoring for the knockout rounds in Russia, with the opener against Denmark in the last 16, before arguably the most important goal of his career - the winner against England in the semi final. Oct 07, 2020 10:03 PM Only three players in Russia have created more chances than Modric, who has created double the number of chances of any team-mate. Uruguay went out in the quarter-finals and Belgium in the semi-finals. in Players Abroad, 18 On the pitch, Vida has made the most interceptions of any Croatian in Russia, with his basic approach - making two more clearances than any team-mate against England - setting him apart. Ivan Strinic, full back, 48 caps, 0 goals. Others that came in for consideration were goalkeepers Ali Beiranvand (Iran) and Jordan Pickford (England), defenders Johan Mojica (Colombia), Yerry Mina (Colombia), Andreas Granqvist (Sweden), and Harry Maguire (England), midfielders Casemiro (Brazil), Isco (Spain), forwards Hirving Lozano (Mexico), Mario Mandzukic (Croatia) and Artem Dzyuba (Russia). With Domagoj Vida possibly playing at right-back Dejan Lovren will partner Vedran Corluka in central defence. All rights reserved. in Orlando Pirates, 38 Defense: Sime Vrsaljko (Croatia), Diego Godin (Uruguay), Domagoj Vida (Croatia), and Thomas Meunier (Belgium), Midfield: N’Golo Kante (France), Luka Modric (Croatia), and Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Forwards: Kylian Mbappe (France), Antoine Griezmann (France) and Eden Hazard (Belgium), Defense: Ilya Kutepov (Russia), Raphael Varane (France), and Toby Alderweireld (Belgium), Midfield: Ivan Rakitic (Croatia), Paul Pogba (France), Axel Witsel (Belgium), and Philippe Coutinho (Brazil), Forwards: Edinson Cavani (Uruguay), Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) and Ivan Perisic (Croatia). Oct 06, 2020 01:16 PM From coaching mid table Saudi side Al-Faisaly 8 years ago, getting sacked by both Al-Hilal and Al-Ain, to taking his national team Croatia to a World Cup final tonight, Zlatko Dalic ladies and gentlemen. In order to have the three forwards I want, Antoine Griezmann will have to play as a withdrawn number 9. Copyright © Soccer Laduma, 2020. In one pass, Modric can simply unlock any defense. The Besiktas defender has courted controversy in Russia, and was forced to apologize after speaking out in support of Russia’s neighbor and adversary Ukraine following Croatia’s quarter-final victory over the host nation. Now Modric, playing much higher up, has much less time and space on the ball and his passing statistics are nowhere near as impressive. Who do you think will win this match? France had beaten Belgium 1-0 in the first semi-final on Tuesday. Oct 08, 2020 12:19 PM Oct 06, 2020 09:58 AM In my opinion, simply the best individual display at a World Cup since Maradona in 1986. Click through the gallery above to see England's starting XI. This is the match sheet of the World Cup 2018 game between Croatia and England on Jul 11, 2018. How do you think this one will go? Guardian’s 2018 World Cup Experts’ Network. Then, while carrying an injury, he saved one penalty in Croatia’s shootout success over Russia in the quarter final. Nikola Kalinic is the next in line to play up front. The second World Cup semi-final sees Croatia take on England at the Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday to decide who meets France in the final. Everyone else is available for the match. But the benefits may outweigh the drawbacks: Dalic hopes Modric’s intelligence and movement will bring more incision. For those who were not completely up to speed with Rebic’s talents, the Eintracht Frankfurt forward announced himself to the world with a brilliantly taken opener against Argentina and has been a thorn in many a left back’s side throughout the tournament. Let us know in the comments below. Let us know in the comments section below. Marcelo Brozovic, midfield, 40 caps, 6 goals. France and Croatia will do battle for the ultimate prize in world football when they go head-to-head in the 2018 World Cup final this afternoon. Croatia national football team have appeared in the FIFA World Cup on five occasions (in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2014 and 2018) since gaining independence in 1991. It was predictions with a twist. Updated Jul 11, 2018 at 1:06pm Getty Harry Kane is leading England on an historic World Cup run. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first to grab the world's attention with a hattrick for Portugal against Spain.