Calcutta: Dejan Lovren believes Croatia's incredible feat of reaching the World Cup final is down to good genes.

Croatia, with a population of 4.1 million, around half the size of London, defeated England 2-1 after extra time on Wednesday to reach the showpiece against France this Sunday.

Lovren was able to shackle Harry Kane for the majority of the 120 minutes, and was asked after the game how Croatia have so much talent within their ranks.

Indeed, both Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, of Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively, have confirmed their status as two of the best midfielders in the world, while Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic have also seen their stock rise.

And the Liverpool defender cheekily said that it has something to do with the parents across the country.

"I would say we have good mothers and fathers, they are making good love I would say," he joked.

France, who beat Belgium in their semi-final, have a population 16 times that of Croatia, and Lovren has rather eloquently summed up his country's tumultuous history. "We went through a lot of s**t," he said.

Lovren also believes that he deserves to be recognised as one of the game's outstanding centre-backs.

Although pinpointed as a weak link for Liverpool this season, the former Southampton and Lyon man helped the Reds to the Champions League final, where they were beaten by Real Madrid, but another shot at glory presents itself on Sunday in the World Cup final.

And he says that his performances should shut his critics up.

"People said I had a difficult season but I don't agree with that," he tsaid. "I showed why I took Liverpool to the final of the Champions League and now with the national team I'm in the World Cup final. I think people should recognise that I'm one of the best defenders in the world."

Lovren also had high praise for teammate Luka Modric.

"Modric is the best middle three player in the world and if we win this World Cup, he deserves the Ballon d'Or," he said.

Croatia seemed on the ropes when Kieran Trippier gave England an early lead, but they hit back in the second half through Ivan Perisic before grabbing a winner in extra-time through Mario Mandzukic.

"It was quite a tough first half, we couldn't control the ball and they had good chances" he admitted. "In the second half we were much better, we found space on the side and put in good crosses. Then in extra-time, we showed we still had the energy to play our game.

Speaking of the experience as a whole, Lovren says it is one that the tiny European nation will always remember.

"This is something we'll never forget," he said.