2018 World Cup: Can Luka Modric help Croatia beat France? These numbers definitely make a strong case

Croatia topped Group D with nine points after they defeated Nigeria, Iceland and Argentina to comfortably qualify for the Round of 16.

With a population of 4.2 million people as of 2016, Croatia is the smallest country to reach the title clash since Uruguay in 1950. But they have been superior to most of the teams, that were considered to be favorites prior to the tournament.

Even UEFA president spoke out suggesting it was a miracle watching a small Croatian country enter the 2018 World Cup final.

“Croatia, who made the last four at the 1998 World Cup, face that year's eventual winners France in Sunday's final.

"It's absolutely a good thing and again proves the good work in European football," Ceferin told Russian broadcaster Russia Today in an interview.

"For a nation of four million people it's a miracle to come to the World Cup final. They have showed so much heart, so much passion, so much fighting spirit that I wouldn't say that they can't win on Sunday,” Ceferin added.

Six out of eight quarter-finalists in the current tournament have been from Europe and Ceferin is not surprised by the dominance of European countries in Russia.

"UEFA are doing a good job, not since I'm here or because I'm here, but because they are approaching the development of football a little bit differently so the gap will be wider and wider," Ceferin said.

One of the major reasons for Croatia’s dominance is their own captain, Luka Modric. At 1.72 metres (5ft 8in) and 66kg (146 lbs), the Croatia playmaker can cut a diminutive figure on the pitch but he has few rivals when it comes to skill, game-management and stamina.

Here are some stats that would force you to think,”Maybe Modric can do the unthinkable on Sunday. But, will he?”

Luka Modrić's 2018 #WorldCup so far by numbers:

most distance covered (63km)
most accurate long balls by an outfield player (41)
fourth most key passes (14)
13 take-ons completed
2 goals
1 final place booked

 MVP  pic.twitter.com/E7r6w1wTiF

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) July 13, 2018

On Sunday, the winner of four Champions League titles with Real Madrid will play the biggest match of his life against France and size will be the last thing on his mind.

 "I've always ignored such talk," he told reporters on the eve of his nation's first World Cup final. "I have never doubted myself even if others did, I always believed I could get to where I am today and thank God this came true. You don't have to be a giant to play football, I'm happy with where I am. I am happy with where I am and I never cared what anyone else said, it only further motivated me."

France will be clear favourites to win a second World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium and Croatia will be relying on the resilience that got them through three lots of extra time and two penalty shootouts in their knockout matches. Many of this generation of Croatian players grew up during the war following the break-up of Yugoslavia, however, and that have given them a mental toughness.

 "I've seen a great deal of hardship in my life," added Modric, who lived in refugee hostels for several years as a child. "The most important thing is to never give up, never give in to circumstances, believe yourself and to soldier on no matter what's in your way. There are ups and downs but whatever happens, you have to trust and believe in yourself. Fight for your dreams and success. This is what has always guided me."