Years have passed since the epic battle in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final. France defeated Croatia 4-2 in that Moscow showdown, mostly thanks to Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe.Impeccable Luka Modric, then 33, led the runners-up to a sensational feat. Interestingly, today, at the age of 39, he’s still leading his national side against Les Bleus in the UEFA Nations League quarter-final.15 July 2018. France beat Croatia 4-2 in the Men’s FIFA World Cup Final at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow. It was the highest-scoring final since 1966 and the highest-scoring 90-minute final since 1958. It was the second French victory and they won all knockout matches in 90 mins. pic.twitter.com/cu2FUnCNai— Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) July 15, 2024 This time, Mbappe is his Real Madrid teammate, so this clash will have another entertaining element.Modric’s idea is to lead Croatia in the next World Cup, and this Nations League campaign will serve Modric as a perfect preparation for the upcoming global tournament.##NAJAVA_MECA_8789775##Mbappe, who returns to the French national team after six months, has revealed that he plans to ask Modric for advice on how to win the Ballon d’Or. “It’s a privilege to play alongside him. The class he has, and at his age, to still have the same motivation to play and perform at the highest level. It’s incredible,” Mbappe stated.With a touch of humor, Mbappe admitted he won’t miss the opportunity to ask Modric about the secret to winning the Ballon d’Or.”We’ve joked about it all week. But what I’m really going to do is ask him how to win a Ballon d’Or, and he’ll tell me,” he added with a laugh.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUELeague A playoffs – Quarter-finalsThursday22:45: (3.60) Croatia (3.40) France (2.10)22:45: (3.30) Denmark (3.30) Portugal (2.25)22:45: (2.80) Italy (3.15) Germany (2.65)22:45: (3.15) Netherlands (3.35) Spain (2.30)League A/B relegation playoffsThursday20:00: (1.80) Turkey (3.50) Hungary (4.70)22:45: (1.80) Austria (3.60) Serbia (5.10)22:45: (1.98) Greece (3.40) Scotland (4.00)22:45: (4.40) Ukraine (3.50) Belgium (1.85)League B/C relegation playoffsThursday20:00: (3.45) Armenia (3.30) Georgia (2.05)22:45: (3.00) Bulgaria (3.00) R.Ireland (2.40)22:45: (2.20) Kosovo (3.20) Iceland (3.20)22:45: (2.15) Slovakia (3.20) Slovenia (3.30)***odds are subject to change***
