World Cup final 2018 LIVE France vs Croatia: France win the World Cup after six-goal thriller with Croatia - as it happened
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France won the World Cup for the second time in their history after defeating Croatia 4-2 in a dramatic and controversial final in Moscow.
In a match that just about had everything, France became only the sixth nation to win the World Cup more than once, with Croatia missing out on the opportunity to win their first world crown. With six goals, a VAR-awarded penalty, a politically-motivated pitch invasion and one of te youngest squads to achieve greatest, there was no shortage of talking points.
France took the lead when Mario Mandzukic headed into his own net only for Ivan Perisic to bring the game to life with an equaliser. However, he was penalised for handball in his own area and Antoine Griezmann converted the penalty, before Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe completed the win for France - though captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris still had time for a howler to gift Croatia a consolation goal.
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What time is it?
The World Cup final will kick-off at 16:00 BST at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be shown on BBC and ITV as well as BBC Sport website/iPlayer. BBC’s coverage will begin at 15:00 BST while ITV’s starts at 14:55 BST.
Prediction
France 2-1 Croatia (AET). This will be closer than people think as Croatia will have nothing but solid belief considering their route to the final, whereas France will have the doubts in the back of their mind from what happened at Euro 2016.
Odds
France: 9/10
Croatia: 4/1
Draw (after 90 minutes): 9/4
Didier Deschamps will draw on Euro 2016 defeat to win World Cup final reports Matt Slater
"France coach Didier Deschamps will tell his young side to focus on Croatia and three other Cs when they meet in Sunday’s World Cup final: calmness, confidence and concentration."
Now we turn to defence...and for me, Croatia's biggest weakness. A defence with Dejan Lovren at the heart, will strike fear into Liverpool fans of two seasons ago, but he has improved over recent weeks and months under Jurgen Klopp and so far this World Cup has looked *reasonably* solid - describing himself as one of the best defenders in the world was perhaps a step too far though.
His defensive partner Domagoj Vida has looked a tired figure and England will feel as though they should have tested him more with their pace. Add to that the world class talent of Griezmann and Mbappe and the aerial ability of Giroud and it could be a long afternoon for the Croatian centre backs. They must keep their discipline and avoid an early yellow card, because that would cause all kinds of problems for Dalic's side.
According to this interesting preview image of the World Cup final Ivan Rakitic looks to be playing a starring role...
The debate keeps on rumbling...does it matter if Didier Deschamps wins the World Cup with France playing conservative football for all of the talent they possess. Miguel Delaney takes a closer look.
The biggest moment EVER for Croatian football, their fans and the country as a whole. Huge.
As we discussed the teams, two of the most pivotal figures on the pitch today will be the goalkeepers. Hugo Lloris and Daniel Subasic will, at times, be keeping their country in the World Cup, and any mistakes from either could mark the end of their big for the trophy.
Lloris is an experienced figure in the youthful French side and has been a solid pair of hands throughout the tournament. It's likely Croatia will target set pieces and he may come under pressure from Lovren and Vida coming up from the back, and the constant threat of Mandzukic.
Subasic has saved Croatia multiple times this tournament, from penalty shootouts to a stunning save from Harry Kane, he will perhaps be even more important than Modric and Rakitic as he faces one of the most potent attacks in the world.
It is a World Cup final that few would have predicted. Perhaps the French had a good chance of reaching the showpiece at the Luzhniki Stadium, but Croatia have surprised everyone.
How did they do it? Miguel Delaney investigates.
“I would say we have good mothers and fathers,” Lovren laughed. “They are making good love.”
Didier Deschamps - the 'water carrier'
Deschamps managed his first game in charge of France back in August 2012, his opposition today has been in the job just nine months. Managers across the world will be quick to say how difficult it is to manage an international team, and yet Deschamps has survived for almost six years. He's bidding to become just the third person to win a world cup as a player and manager - Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer the other two.
Yes, he has incredible talent to choose from, but we have seen in years gone by, the combustible mentality of French sides, and this generation have come together as a team, regardless of their talents. Eric Cantona may have described Deschamps as the water carrier, but could he carry his country to the biggest glory in world football? Surely he must garner some respect and praise for such an achievement. Let's not forget the teams with huge talent that have bitten the dust this tournament. Germany. Argentina. Belgium. Brazil.
Winning a World Cup is far from easy.
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