2018 FIFA World Cup: Croatia & France ready for final showdown

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02:37

As many as a billion people are expected to watch tonight's World Cup Final, as France takes on Croatia for football's top prize, and supporters from each side are already dreaming of victory, as CGTN's Dan Williams reports.

The prize France and Croatia are wrestling for. As both sets of supporters gathered in Moscow's Red Square ahead of the World Cup Final. With a population of four million, Croatia is the smallest country in 68 years to reach the final, but its fans are now hoping for more.

"You know for us it would be everything. All of the dreams come true. Because nobody believed in these dreams so it would mean everything."

"I never cried in my life. I cry now two times in the last two games, it shows everything, what every citizen of Croatia is feeling right now."

Fatigue for Croatia could be an issue. All three of its knockout matches required extra time, with two of those also going to penalties, but Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic played down the concerns.

ZLATKO DALIC CROATIA COACH "There will be a seismic event in Croatia, and this gives us great strength, and motivation, one of our biggest motives are our supporters, our people in Croatia. God willing, there will be four million people on the streets, celebrating."

France goes into the final as the favorite and many of the team's fans only see one winner.

"I think it is going to be easy for us. Really. I see 2-0 to France."

France coach Didier Deschamps is looking to become just the third person to win the competition as both a player and a coach, but France was favored to win the European Championships two years ago, only to lose to Portugal in the final.

DIDIER DESCHAMPS FRANCE COACH "What happened two years ago, we must learn from it. There is nothing more beautiful, nothing as strong when you're a professional player than the chance to play in a World Cup final. With my staff, we are making sure to prepare them in the best way possible."

DAN WILLIAMS MOSCOW "So the stage is now set for the finale of Russia 2018. Few would have predicted this final before the tournament, but given all the shocks in the earlier rounds, perhaps it is the final the competition deserves. Dan Williams, CGTN, Moscow."