On Sunday, Moscow's Luzhniki stadium will host the final of the Russia 2018 World Cup. As it started with a sensational result for the hosts that nobody assumed possible, the tournament will conclude with a match that nobody predicted. With all the favorites long gone, it came down to two solid yet unfavored nations who dragged themselves to the final by any means necessary.

For France, it was by putting animus aside, maturing practically overnight and knowing who should be doing what and when. After several shaky, potential-filled performances in the group stage, Les Bleus turned a corner when they beat Argentina, and united like the globe in Alan Moore’s Watchmen in the face of Ozymandias’ false monster, played terrifically in that game by Lionel Messi. Putting four past, La Albiceste didn’t mean much in the end as they returned three in kind; it was putting to past La Celeste of Uruguay that cemented Les Bleus as The True Blues of the World Cup.

Outmanoeuvring Belgium in the semi-final might have been the final piece of the puzzle. It was the first time the team didn’t seem to be playing itself by and that Didier Deschamps had some important tactical advice. It was only a 1-0 victory in the end, and that came after an evenly matched half, but it proved they had grit among their qualities. Players like Paul Pogba, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe, all forwards bursting with energy, could have found Belgium’s defense to be frustrating – as they did against Uruguay, almost losing their heads in trying to play against anti-football - but instead they worked together, put up a fight and have rightfully earned their spot in the final.

But ever since winning on home soil in ’98, finals have proved to be disastrous for France, summed up by the enduring image of Zidane’s headbutt to Marco Materazzi followed by the melancholy shot of him walking past the World Cup trophy in disgrace, his final moment on the French national team. More unnervingly is the final of Euro 2016, where after beating the reigning world champions Germany 2-0, France lost 1-0 to a Ronaldo-less Portugal; it was only two years ago, and this is practically the same team.

If there are any nerves about playing in the biggest game in football, Croatia will find out. Unlike France, the Vatreni (Blazers in Croatian) is in this for revenge. Yugoslavia’s success in international football may have come under teams formed with mostly Croatian players but, as an independent nation, Croatia has been uneven on the pitch since they were officially established as a team by FIFA in 1992. After being denied entry to USA ’94, they proved themselves well at the 1998 World Cup - until they were beaten in the semifinals by host nation France.

Since they have barely registered their highest finish, being a group stage elimination in Brazil four years ago, the disappointment was greater than the frustrations of the previous tournaments; there they just failed. This time the golden generation had failed. Ivan Perisic, Dejan Lovren, Luka Modric, Darijo Srna, Mario Mandzukic - the list goes on, but these were all players who were at the top their game and making an impact at Europe’s biggest clubs, so why weren’t they succeeding internationally? 

Perhaps the answer was the coach. Niko Kovac and Ante Cacic were fine coaches and the first, at least, is known as being a nice guy. When neither could progress further than the round of 16, they were replaced by Zlatko Dalic. After the opening game against Nigeria, Dalic sent Nikola Kalic home after he refused to come on as a sub late in the game, citing a back injury. This is only a glimpse into how the Croatian team is run, but it appears he is a man who keeps egos in check and fosters a team mentality. Both aspects that will be crucial if Croatia wants to complete their evolution from a promising Edmond Dantes to a fearsome Count of Monte Cristo.

Time, however, is not on their side.  The players are now older. Wiser, yes, and definitely more skilled, but also slower and without the punch they used to have. Mandzukic’s latest game turn against England was like a dazzling piece of play, borne almost entirely out of instinct, but were this Brazil or South America, he wouldn’t have needed to poach a goal from inside the penalty box, he would have been up and down and everywhere like in his Champions League final performances.

And this is where France have the upper hand: Pogba is a bullet, Mbappe is a laser. This World Cup, which has brought together so many different teams, and now it has done so again in the final. Speed vs. technique; rightful victory vs. righteous vengeance; France vs. Croatia. It’s the rematch 20 years in the making, and it will all be decided in just one night.