A Croatian victory would be a huge upset, with France firm favourites to win the World Cup for a second time.
Croatia have no major injury concerns going into Sunday's World Cup final despite having played three 120-minute matches
World Cup: When wingers gave Croatia flight
It was no surprise that Croatia cavorted on the pitch in celebration with fans and family long after beating England in the semi-finals of the World Cup on Wednesday night, but a wiser head might have ushered them quietly to ice bath and bed.
Croatia defender Domagoj Vida apologised after his team's World Cup semi-final victory over England on Wednesday after speaking out in support of Russia's neighbour and adversary Ukraine.
Deschamps said Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was called up as a late replacement for Pogba.
For Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic the final is a chance to settle the score 20 years after the bitter defeat
'This is a miracle. Only great teams can be as brave as we were and fight back from a goal down against teams like England'
The country of around 4 million people came to a standstill as Croatians watched the game on screens in squares and cafes.
Here is a look at some of the key head-to-head duels which could prove decisive.
Croatia progressed to the semi-finals of the World Cup after a second successive penalty shootout on Saturday but their inability to put away another unimpressive team over 90 minutes and extra time is a major worry for the Balkan side.
The Kremlin dubbed the Russian national team heroes and proud soccer fans saluted their underdog host team after the side lost on penalties to Croatia, bringing an end to its World Cup challenge at the quarter-finals.
Modric and Co will face England in Moscow on Wednesday!
After healthcare and frontline workers, priority will be given to those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities numbering around 27 crore, it added.
Croatia will be ready for both versions of Russia, says Perisic
Last week Anita Rao Kashi wrote about 9 reasons to visit Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Here are 10 more reasons why you must visit the country
Croatia made heavy weather of beating Denmark in their worst performance of the tournament, but will seek to rediscover their fluency in a weekend showdown against Russia for a place in the World Cup semi-finals.
Croatia came back after conceding in the opening minute to defeat Denmark 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out and earn a World Cup quarter-final berth, after the two sides drew 1-1 in the Round of 16 match on Sunday.
Denmark will change their approach and offer more in attack as they bid to get past Croatia at the World Cup, coach Age Hareide promised on the eve of Sunday's second round match.
After scoring one of the goals of the tournament and upstaging Lionel Messi by leading his team to the top of their group, Croatia captain Luka Modric hopes to fulfil a dream that began when he watched his nation record a best ever World Cup showing.
The 21-year-old Coric came from two sets to one down to defeat the 20-year-old debutant Tiafoe 6-7(0), 6-1, 6-7(11), 6-1, 6-3 and finally subdue a remarkable fightback from the Americans, who had earlier levelled the tie 2-2 from two down.
Novak Djokovic decided to travel to New York for the US Open amid the COVID-19 pandemic because the 17-time Grand Slam champion did not want to pass up on the opportunity to close in on Roger Federer's record tally of 20.
They can now dream of going one better than their third-place finish in 1998, which marked their first participation in the World Cup finals as an independent nation.
Iceland's first World Cup adventure came to a valiant end on Tuesday as they were beaten 2-1 by Group D winners Croatia due to a late strike from Ivan Perisic, with Argentina qualifying as runners-up instead.
Croatia had shown glimpses of their potential at the last European Championships in France two years ago when they beat Spain but went out in the second round to eventual winners Portugal after conceding in extra time.
Croatia's euphoric media ran out of superlatives as they hailed the Balkan nation's stunning World Cup win over Argentina which propelled them into the competition's knockout stages for the first time since the 1998 tournament when they finished third.
Classy Croatia handed Argentina a 3-0 drubbing to claim a place in the World Cup knockout stage thanks to goals by Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic in their Group D match on Thursday.
The Argentina captain turns 31 in a few days and may be playing his last World Cup. He would need to win it to rival fellow great Diego Maradona for the eternal love of his compatriots.
'I have calmly accepted that, and since I need my players fit and ready to play, I have made this decision'
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic says he will turn to his Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic for ideas on how to stop Argentina's Lionel Messi in Thursday's Group D match between the two teams.
Croatia midfielder Luka Modric suggested that his team's 2-0 victory over Nigeria on Saturday had turned up the heat on Group D favourites Argentina
It is a U-turn from Novak Djokovic after his June statements that competing at the 2020 US Open would be 'impossible' due to 'extreme' COVID-19 protocols for the tournament at Flushing Meadows.
Dark horse Croatia take on spirited Nigeria in a World Cup opener on Saturday that could leave one side fighting for their tournament lives in the Group of Death.
Photos of the World Cup game between Mexico and Croatia
The former Barcelona forward, key to his country's hopes in Russia, came on as a halftime substitute and provided the moment of inspiration for win the game in the 69th minute.
Kyrgios shot back at Coric, saying he "should care" about his comments.
German fifth seed Alexander Zverev survived a stern test of nerve to reach his second Grand Slam semi-final this year after outclassing Croatian Borna Coric at the US Open on Tuesday.
Serge Gnabry continued his impressive scoring run for Germany, netting in second-half stoppage time for his ninth goal in his 10th international, completing Germany's eighth consecutive win over Northern Ireland.
Second seed Dominic Thiem celebrated his 27th birthday with a commanding 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory over India's Sumit Nagal on Thursday to move into the third round of the US Open.
Lots of weddings were put on hold this year, but some still took place and photographers were on hand to capture the magical memories. Some couples even had their special days documented in an award-winning style. The winners of the International Wedding Photographer of the Year have been revealed and the snaps will warm your heart.
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