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Could the new championship cycle in every 20 years of World Cup execution be true? If true, then the 2018 World Cup in Russia this will belong to Croatia.

Croatia, the country with the smallest population in the 2018 World Cup, (only 4.1 million inhabitants), now it has reached the top, after the semi-final beat England 2-1 on Wednesday (11/7/2018). In the final, Sunday (15/7), they will face France at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow.

Croatia have never won. Best of all, their achievement is through the semi-finals, at the 1998 World Cup. Unlike France, it has been the best in the world when it was hosted in 1998.

The 20-year cycle of the new World Cup championship itself began in 1958. At that time, Brazil became champion for the first time, having in the final beating host Sweden 5-2.

Brazil at that time, breaking the dominance of Uruguay, Italy, and West Germany, who before turning champion since 1930, when the World Cup was first held.

Twenty years ago, the new champion re-emerged in the World Cup in 1978. This time, Argentina came to the surface. When it was in the finals they beat the Dutch 3-1.

The 20-year cycle again showed its validity as France won the World Cup trophy in 1998. Interestingly, at that time, in the semi-final they beat Croatia.

"We deserve to be in the final but we will not quit," said Croatia captain Luka Modric, related to their dream of winning the 2018 World Cup, as quoted by the BBC. "There is still a final match against France, we are ready to release everything."

Unbeatable

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Throughout the 2018 World Cup, Croatia did appear consistent, unbeaten. Indeed, in the two games ahead of the final, they must desperately to stage a penalty against Denmark and hosts Russia in the last 16 and quarter-finals.

However, in the group phase, Modric and his friends so digdaya hit his opponents. Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland are 2-0, 3-0 and 2-1 respectively.

Their goals are also born from different players. Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic, Ivan Rakitic, Andrej Kramaric, including Modric took turns contributing goals for goals to Vatreni's triumph.

That could be proof, that Croatia has a dangerous game and an equally dangerous individuality. One thing rarely belongs to other teams.

Role Modric

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Modric, as a "chef" in midfield, was so active in the rhythm of Croatian play, as well as streaming the ball, ensuring Vatreni's attacks were still wriggling. But, of course, he was not alone.

On the right-left side, there are duo Ivan (Perisic and Rakitic), and Ante Rebic or Mateo Kovacic is no less stretched. They are the ones who make two attackers Mario Mandzukic and Andrej Kramaric more dangerous.

While in the defense, duo Damagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren became the barrier that is difficult to penetrate the opponent. The game is both tactical, straightforward, and uncompromising. If both are unfit, Croatia still has another formidable duo on defense: Vedran Corluka and Duje Caleta Car.

"I say I can not teach these players to play soccer, they have played fantastic," said Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic. "I'm just responsible for something else."

Revenge

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This will obviously be their big capital in the final match against France. If Croatia can perform consistently, it is not impossible they appear to be champions as well as revive the "cycle 20 years" earlier.

And, Dalic has his own tricks to ensure this "20-year cycle" is maintained. Ahead of the final against France, 51-year-old man was igniting a sense of patriotism Modric and his friends call the final game as a vengeance event.

Understandably, in the journey of keeping "the 20th anniversary" in 1998, France put out Croatia in the semi-finals. At that time, the gold-ridden Croatians like Zvonimir Boban, Slaven Bilic, Robert Jarni, Robert Prosinecki, and Davor Suker, bent 1-2 through two goals from French defender Lilian Thuram. France is victorious, one of them because it applies as host.

By @taministy