The Finalists: 2018 FIFA World Cup

Pritpal S Tamber

July 14, 2018

My thoughts on the two finalists, including all of my tweets on the games that they played

I thought I’d pull together all of my tweets of the games that France and Croatia played and do what I never do – make a prediction for the game. 

France

Group Phase

I missed the Denmark vs France game but it was 0-0. 

Round of 16

Quarter Final

Semi Final

Looking back, you get the sense know that the French know how to hold on, how to ride out a storm. Australia and Peru tested them in the group stage, while Argentina simply ran out of steam in the round of 16. They were lucky that Uruguay lost Cavani in the quarter final and that Belgium failed to capitalise on their dominant first half in the semi final. My gut tells me they have the edge on Croatia in the final. 

Croatia 

Group Phase

I missed the Iceland vs Croatia game but it was 1-2. 

Round of 16

Quarter Final

Semi Final

Croatia have done what they always seem to do; swash-buckle at the start (they were magnificent against Nigeria and Argentina in the group phase) and then simply buckle under pressure (they struggled to find any flow against Denmark in the round of 16 and Russia in the quarter final). But they’re an experienced group of players, able to weather storms without panic and respond to oppositions’ formations, which is what they did with patience and confidence against England. Despite that, as I say above, I think France have the edge on them. 

Pritpal S Tamber

I’m a doctor who trained as a medical editor and publisher and now researches and consults on the link between community power and health equity. My interest in community power started when I was the Physician Editor of TEDMED and is explained in My Perspective. I also work as a freelance medical editor and publisher for organisations that want to write high-quality articles and a strategy for their publishing and promotion. Find out more on my About page.

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