New Delhi: Germany, Spain, Argentina and Brazil had all come to Russia with expectations, but ultimately faced downfalls that had a myriad of reasons and it was soon evident that this world cup was a graveyard for the traditional players of global football with the eastern host city of Kazan occupying a central role in a tournament that was full of twists and turns.
Kazan Arena, the velodrome-shaped stadium on the banks of the river Volga, staged Germany vs South Korea, France vs Argentina and Brazil vs Belgium. Two of these matches should have been straightforward, but instead Germany, and Brazil faced a crushing defeat. Lionel Messi exited as Kylian Mbappe waltzed past a dysfunctional and disjointed Argentina, whose group stage performances were the chronicle of an elimination foretold.
This left France as the sole powerhouse to remain in this open-ended World Cup. Russia, the lowest-ranked team, and Sweden, memorably dispatching Mexico 3-0 helped to eliminate Germany from the quarter finals
The tournament’s unpredictability was reminded of the 2002 World Cup, co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, when Senegal, Turkey, USA and the team of coach Guus Hiddink had all reached the last-eight but eventually, Brazil and Germany restored the natural hierarchy by defeating the interlopers in the semi-finals. In Russia, Europe has dominated but with Belgium and Croatia playing in the semi-finals, the established hierarchy was no more
In Croatia, the World Cup final has an underdog in the plenitude of the word: a small team with less probability of winning the showpiece match. Not since Uruguay in 1950, when they defeated Brazil 2-1 in the Maracanazo to lift a second World Cup, has such a small-scaled country reached the final of the quadrennial high mass of the game. However, at the time the South Americans were considered veritable powerhouses; today, Croatia are not. The young nation has an outstanding record, having played the World Cup semi-finals in 1998, but has not reached the level of the European elite just yet, in spite of its beautiful playing style and mettle.
“In Europe the Pep (Guardiola) effect — first of all at Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Manchester City — has an impact on a lot of players and coaches,” explains Andy Roxburgh , the AFC technical director and part of FIFA’s technical study group in Russia.
“The idea of playing it out of the back. (Luka) Modric, for example, defines this. He, for me, also defined Real. The same with Croatia. This ability to play through the back and the middle and a very high possession game, but it is not for the sake of it: it is possession to penetrate, to attack with this clear possession game but also when you lose it to immediately get it back. It has had influence on a number of coaches.”
France do not play ‘Guardiolian’ football. Though their beginning against Australia was not a favourable one but they came good in Group C and then demonstrated superior football against Argentina and Uruguay before presenting a their superior positional awareness against Belgium
The French often face accusation of playing unimaginative football and their cult of winning may well silence all detractors. Les Bleusdo is not a representative of enthralling football, not the flair one would expect from a squad replete with ball artists, but that doesn’t lessen their status of powerhouse. They boast a rich history and culture in the global game, from Just Fontaine’s outstanding goal-scoring streak at the 1958 World Cup to that blue dazzy summer forty years later when Zinedine Zidane headed France to eternal glory. At Euro 2016, they faltered in the final on home soil against the Portuguese.
“Today’s group is different to that two years ago,” said France coach Deschamps . “Fourteen new players arrive since then. They have discovered this tournament and so their experience is limited. But quality is there. The Croatian players have lot of maturity and have been in the squad. We’ve always had opponents who have had more than us. We have nine players who were at the Euros, who know unfortunately what happened. It must serve to inspire those players. The final is always a very specific event.”
On Sunday, France will have a new renewed chance at winning the World Cup. To do so, Les Bleus will need to contain Modric and the skillful Croatian ensemble or else the established order may also change.
