France out to rectify Euro 2016 mistakes in final: Pogba

France faces the Croats in the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday, but it is rejecting the favourite tag which cost it dearly two years ago, he said. The French beat Germany in the Euro 2016 semi-final setting up an encounter in Paris against then-underdog Portugal, which stunned it 1-0 in extra time to win the continental title.

“We are conscious of the situation, we do not want to make the same mistakes like two years ago. We want to work for it, to give everything we have to take this Cup home,” said Pogba. “I think at the Euro we thought it was already a done deal, the mentality was not the same as now. I cannot lie that when we beat Germany we thought that was the final. I know the taste of losing a final. I don’t want it to happen again.” 

“Against Portugal, we thought we had won it before the start of the game. That will not happen again.” France has been improving throughout the tournament and has beat Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the knockout rounds without needing extra time or penalties.

Croatia needed spot kicks to advance against Denmark in the last 16 and against Russia in the quarter-finals. It then came from a goal down against England to win 2-1 in extra time. That is not a sign of a struggling team, according to Pogba, but one that has a lot of talent.

“The Croats had a very difficult match and they were behind. But they are mentally very strong. There are two teams in the final, a Cup and there are 90 minutes more. “For us, we are not the favourites. We stay as we are from the start of the tournament. We have no doubts, we play together, that’s our strength. We are chasing something and will do everything to succeed.”

France, world champion in 1998 after beating Croatia in the semis, is in its third World Cup final. It is unknown territory for Croatia however. “For sure the Croats they want the star (for winning the title) they have had a good run. They want to win. But I have no star either although there is one on my shirt. I want mine.”