The global footballing family will focus on Moscow on Sunday evening. France and Croatia will cross swords in the World Cup final on 17.00 CEST, and Bayern pro Corentin Tolisso will be part of it. His involvement means a strong run continues for Bayern. The German record champions have been represented by at least one player in World Cup finals since 1982.
One or more Munich men left the pitch as winners in four out of these ten finals, and Tolisso might balance the record with a victory. However, France are in for a tough challenge, even if only few experts rated Croatia as favourites before a ball was kicked.
Former FCB pro Mario Mandzukic & Co downed Denmark, Russia and England in the knockout rounds, displaying a lot of commitment. However, they played 120 minutes in each of these encounters, which might be an advantage for France. The Equipe Tricolore beat Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in 90 minutes.
Tolisso made the starting line-up in the quarter-final against Uruguay, stepping in for the banned Blaise Matuidi and turning in an outstanding display, but he was on the bench in the semi-final tie. France coach Didier Deschamps declined to reveal whether the 23-year-old would start in the biggest match of his career. But regardless of Deschamps' plan, Tolisso will be part of it, and France aim to seal the second World Cup title after 1998.