Croatia face France in Moscow on Sunday attempting to win their first World Cup while Didier Deschamps' side are aiming to land their second title two decades on from their triumph on home soil.
France will also be spurred on by trying to put behind them the bitter disappointment of losing the Euro 2016 final to Portugal in Paris.
It is a final few people anticipated when football's global showpiece kicked off four weeks ago.
Croatia have brought joy to their Balkan nation of just four million people by defying the odds to progress to the final while reigning champions Germany, then Argentina and Brazil all fell by the wayside in Russia.
20 YEARS AGO#FRA and #CRO engaged in a memorable #WorldCup semi-final encounter
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
Ahead of Sunday's #WorldCupFinal, we remember that meeting in 1998
?https://t.co/p69sDcfvzh pic.twitter.com/bJOlbjkoNj
They have been inspired by mercurial midfielder Luka Modric while coach Zlatko Dalic, who only took over last year with the squad in chaos, has coaxed remarkable performances from his team.
Deschamps would become only the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager -- he was captain when France lifted the World Cup in 1998.
His France side, spearheaded by 19-year-old forward Kylian Mbappe and the more seasoned Antoine Griezmann, are the favourites.
France: Key facts #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/5eNeHpX7DH
— AFP news agency (@AFP) July 15, 2018
Paul Pogba has finally become a leader in midfield for France and N'Golo Kante has excelled in doing the tireless work that allows his teammates to shine, while Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane are the nucleus of a solid defence.
Les Bleus laboured through their group, beating Australia and Peru by the odd goal and drawing with Denmark in the only goalless game of the tournament.
Then they hit form, sweeping aside Argentina in a match which announced to the world that Mbappe is set to be an international superstar as he scored twice and outshone Lionel Messi.
.@PaulPogba is set to lead France into the FIFA World Cup final.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2018
Relive the journey through the French star's eyes in The Pogba Diaries. pic.twitter.com/q89AZAJMdW
But apart from that 4-3 win, France have played like a Deschamps side, with the emphasis on defence.
The cavernous 80,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium will be the setting for the final, but the biggest celebrations will take place on the streets of the winning country.
Tens of thousands of people poured onto the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris after France's semi-final win against Belgium and expectations at home are high.
World Cup final: #FRA have barely broken a sweat, but don't write off #CRO.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 15, 2018
Full Story: https://t.co/la7lz1jfjh pic.twitter.com/WjWSJE5iFH
"Of course we know what's happening in France, all the more so after seeing all the images after the Belgium game," goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said on Saturday.
"But tomorrow we will be coming up against opponents of great quality. They deserve to be in the final just as much as us.
"They have demonstrated their worth and that they have the physical and mental resources to go and win it."
Croatia have shown impressive resolve to withstand three successive matches that went to extra-time -- Mario Mandzukic's winner in the 109th minute defeated England in the semi-final on Wednesday.
They are the smallest nation to reach a #WorldCup final since Uruguay in 1950, but how do Croatia continue to exceed expectations on the world stage?
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 14, 2018
Here's their incredible story: https://t.co/uoomAIsSlU pic.twitter.com/dEvSMR63QD
Dalic said on Saturday he was prepared to make changes for the final if any of his players have failed to recover from their exertions.
"Tomorrow is the World Cup final. Simply, the players know what that is," the coach said.
"One thing that brings me happiness is that all my players tell me if they are not 100 percent fit.
? This is it. Final practice session. #WorldCupFinal next. ????#FlamingPride #Croatia #WorldCup #Vatreni? pic.twitter.com/UBX3VSoyVt
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) July 14, 2018
"They know what is at stake, but if they are unable to give their all they will tell us."
Ivan Perisic, who scored and set up Mandzukic's winner against England, was among five Croatian players to miss training on Friday.
"We need relaxation and rest to gain freshness for tomorrow," Dalic said.
Croatian teams and fans, who in the past have been accused of racism, have had years of problems with international football bodies https://t.co/uwAH9LW8lF
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) July 15, 2018
"We have some minor injuries, minor problems, and I hope my players will be ready. If not, I have great players on the bench who will be raring to go."
The last time the two nations met in a World Cup was in the 1998 semi-final when two Lilian Thuram goals sunk a Croatian side playing in their first World Cup as an independent nation.
Win or lose, this Croatia team are already national heroes for improving on the 1998 team's performance.
IN FOCUS
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
We take a closer look at the two goalkeepers that will feature in Sunday's #WorldCupFinal - #CRO @SubasicDanijel and #FRA Hugo Lloris
?https://t.co/8iuAaFhrUh pic.twitter.com/RKTBa0vvP9
Belgium proved too strong for England in Saturday's third-place playoff as Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard scored in Saint Petersburg and the Belgians bettered the achievement of their 1986 team.
England's Harry Kane looked tired and did not add to his six goals in the tournament, although he remains the favourite to win the Golden Boot for top scorer, barring a remarkable performance from Mbappe or Griezmann in the final -- both are on three goals.
Despite coming close to reaching their first World Cup for 52 years, England coach Gareth Southgate said that "against the very best teams we've come up short".