Mitch Freeley

You can watch the World Cup Final between France & Croatia via beIN SPORTS CONNECT.

Match Report

France's array of superstars came out to shine as Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe fired them to World Cup glory with an emphatic 4-2 win over Croatia

Following a tournament packed with thrills and drama, the final at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium lived up to what preceded it from the moment Les Bleus hit the front through an 18th-minute own goal by Mario Mandzukic – a cruel role reversal for Croatia's extra-time hero in the semi-final win over England.

Ante Dalic's side had started the stronger and levelled through a fine Ivan Perisic strike before the Inter player was harshly adjudged to have handled in the box, as VAR made its first impact upon a World Cup final.

Griezmann converted his fourth of the tournament from 12 yards before Croatia pursued their opponents furiously once more at the start of the second half.

A pitch invasion from punk protest group Pussy Riot in the 52nd minute seemed a fitting precursor to the anarchy that followed, with Pogba and Mbappe arrowing in majestic strikes from outside the box.

An absent-minded error from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris allowed Mandzukic to put his name on the other side of the scoreboard, but Didier Deschamps was not to be denied his piece of history as the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach. Deschamps was captain of the Les Bleus' side that previously lifted the trophy back in 1998.

Live Updates

Second Half

90+5- Peep! FRANCE ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS! 4-2 WINNERS OVER CROATIA! Match report to follow! 

90+4- Croatia knock the ball long, it comes straight back to them. France are seconds away from being crowned world champions. 

90+2 Griezmann is on the floor, Vrsaljko picks up a yellow, not that he'll care. 

90+1 Pogba & Mbappé combine, Pogba shimmies and messes up the chance. 

90- Five minutes of Extra time. Then the 2018 World Cup is over (Although it will live on in our hearts forever)

89- France and Croatia are just going through the motions now, France are confidently holding Croatia off. 

88- Rakitic opens up and takes aim, the ball flies over. They know it, we know it. France will win the World Cup. 

86- Tame shot from Fekir. It's over, it's over, it's over. 

85- Didier Deschamps calling for calm amongst his team. He's played it perfectly! He will join Mário Zagallo & Franz Beckenbauer as the only men to have won the World Cup as a player & a manager. 

83- Croatia are seeing plenty of the ball, they are knocking the ball into the box, but Verane and Umtiti are heading everything away. They have been tremendous today. 

81- You just feel that Croatia's legs are gone here, it was a game to far for them. You have to remember they have played 90 minutes more of football than France over the course of the tournament with extra-time and whatnot! 

80- Sub for France- Giroud is off, Nabil Fekir is on! 

77- Rakitic with a chance! It skips just wide! 

75- Even though it's 4-2 it's delicately poised here. A goal for Croatia will set up a grandstand finish! 

72- A few subs have come on. Matuidi is replaced by Tolisso for France, as for Croatia Kramaric has replaced Rebic. 

70- SIX GOALS IN A WORLD CUP FINAL? Blimey! The most since 1958... I have been reliably informed. 

69- Game on?! Croatia pull one back! It's a howler from Loris, who passes the ball to Mandzukic who scores up in the right end! 4-2, is the fightback on?!? 4-2

67- Little side note... Mbappé is the first teenager to score in the World Cup final since a little-known player called Pele scored. 

64- Goal! Mbappé makes it 4-1! A sweet strike from outside the box. No chance Croatia can fightback from this! 

60- France look the brighter side here. Croatia's legs have gone.

58- Goal! France on the breakaway! Paul Pogba! Mbappé lays it to Griezmann, who passes to Pogba his first shot is blocked, but he makes no mistake with the second one! Past Subasic. 3-1 France, GAME OVER! 

56- France has a habit of strangling games into submission, will they be able to do that tonight? With N'golo Kante they have a big space free in the centre of the park. Can Croatia take advantage of this in the final 30 or so minutes?

53- N'golo Kante makes way. Steven Nzonzi is on in his stead. 

52- Play stops as three pitch invaders run onto the field of play! The scamps! 

51- Pogba with a perfect ball to Mbappé who shows Vida a clean pair of heels the PSG attacker is pushed but stays on his feet, his shot is blocked by Subasic

49- It's all Croatia here, Modric springs forward before Matuidi clears for a corner, again France clear from the set piece. 

47- What a chance Croatia. Rebic with a shot on the run. Loris tips it over, signs of life from Croatia! 

46- Griezmann has a shot from outside the box, it's tamely into the arms of Subasic

45- Peep! France get us back underway! 

First Half

It was a big and bold VAR call to give that penalty! Richard Keys & guests have their say on the controversial call! (It's not good) 

HALF-TIME Fact! I've been reliably told that an Argentine referee was in charge against France in 2006 final, Les Bleus lost to Italy... Could that be some kind of Omen? Or some quirk of fate? That's not really for me to say... As it stands... France are winning! 

45- Peep! France lead at the break thanks to a controversial VAR call... I'm predicting some firebrand views at half-time... Stick around! 

45- Play resumes! The corner from Rakitic flies in! Vida gets a head to it but it knocks just wide. Desperately unlucky! 

42- Umtiti shoves Mandzukic a dangerous free-kick. Modric launches it to the back post, Lovren cracks a shot which rebounds off Paul Pogba, the corner is wasted. 

40- Yellow to Hernandez! A crunching tackle on Rebic. Croatia ain't wasting any time here. Straight back playing. 

37-Goal! Griezmann scores! He slots it past Subasic, Que that ridiculous Fortnight celebration! 2-1 France! 

35- Penalty! It's given! Nestor Pitana makes history, to give the first VAR penalty in a World Cup final... Griezmann steps up to take it... 

34- The referee makes the TV screen! Time to review the footage, that would be very harsh on Perisic if that is given in my opinion... 

33- Corner for France... Matuidi gets a head to it.... VAR is being called for a handball?!? Hello! 

28- GOAL! Perisic with a pearler! The free kick from Modric is knockdown at the back post, after some head tennis, Vida lays the ball to Perisic who unleashes a left footed shot on the volley. Quite, quite spectacular... Now we are cooking on gas! 1-1

27- First yellow of the World Cup final goes to N'golo Kante

26- How do Croatia find themselves 1-0 down here I do not know. They have dominated. 

23- Plenty of needle in his! Lovren barges into Giroud for a free-kick. The referee waves play on! The cross eventually finds it's way to Rakotic, who smashes the ball over the bar! French players surround the offical, but he's having none of it. 

20- Chance for Croatia! Dangerous free-kick on the right wing! Modric fires it in and Vida gets a head to it! The ball is well over the bar. 

18- Goal! Griezmann puts it into the mixer and it skims off the head of Mario Mandzukic. Desperately unlucky, but France have the lead! 1-0! 

17-Brozovic slams into Griezmann. A free-kick in a dangerous area for Les Bleus

15-  Ivan Perisic zips down the left wing, his drilled cross to Modric is cut out by Umtiti. 

12-A long ball is knocked to Olivier Giroud, a mistimed touch from the Chelsea striker. Goal kick. 

10- Strinic is seeing plenty of the ball on the left wing. Luca Modric picks him out with a perfect ball his pass to Ivan Perisic, but the Inter can't make the most of it. 

7-Strinic wins the ball and pushes into the penalty box, Mbappé puts in the crucial block. The corner is cleared by Giroud. 

5- Croatia has started brightly here. Strinic scampers down the wing and wins a dangerous throw in for his side. 

2- Croatia spring forward, a couple of stepovers Ivan Perisic is away, he's quickly shut down. 

1- Modric slams into Samuel Umtiti and sportingly picks him up. Early nerves from the Croatian captain. 

Peep! Croatia get us underway! 

Preamble

Just before Kick-off! Souness has had his say on Raphael Varane. For my money, the best defender at the World Cup! Good to share similar opinions with Souness! 

"I think he's been fabulous."

Souness can't spot a weakness in @raphaelvarane's game.#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/g3hFJUyEtC — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

Before that... How about Ronaldinho casually on the Bongo drums? Sure? Why not? That's a thing... 

.@10Ronaldinho on the drums 🥁#beINRussia #beINFWC #FRACRO #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/TF9NrFOaLn — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

Fancy some inspiring video to get you in the mood for the game. Strap in (footage of the "Closing ceremony" is on it's way.

6⃣3⃣ games down... 1⃣ to go 👊

Bring on the #WorldCupFinal 🙌#beINRussia #beINFWC #FRACRO pic.twitter.com/QWZsac4YYj — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

Andy Gray has had his say on Ivan Perišić. Can the inter man light up this final?

It's fair to say that Andy Gray is a big fan of #CRO's Ivan Perišić!#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/moYGQcTlEo — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

Can Kylian Mbappé light up the World Cup final? Plenty of pressure on the teenager's shoulders tonight. 

.@KMbappe: @FrenchTeam's young ⭐️ #beINRussia #beINFWC #FRACRO #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/lmRBkN2mpG — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

Fancy a final, neat, sweet hit of news before the World Cup final? Of course, you do! Kate Mason has all the latest! 

Here's your #WorldCup news with @kvlmason!#beINRussia #beINFWC pic.twitter.com/PeAQQqlRyT — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

Eden Hazard seems to be one of the contenders for the best player at the tournament. Graeme Souness expects the Belgian winger to be in Madrid come the end of the transfer window! 

"He's the obvious choice."

Souness expects @hazardeden10 to move to @realmadriden this summer.#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/5O3Omh1DGr — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

Just under an hour to go to kick off! How about some LIVE Scenes from the Moscow metro? The Croatians seem to be out in force today! 

Graeme Souness having his say on Paul Pogba, who for my money has been one of the consistent players at the World Cup. 

"He's indisciplined and that's the kindest word I can say about him."

Graeme Souness on @paulpogba!#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCupFinal #MUFC pic.twitter.com/yDVsePXcw3 — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

Fancy some photo's as we build up to the big game? Check out this expertly curated gallery. 

Andy Gray ramping up the concussion debate ahead of the World Cup final. 

Andy Gray is surprised to see @MATUIDIBlaise in the #FRA team so soon after suffering a concussion.#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/U3bdm2PFXm — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

We have the team news! Oh my! No changes from either side after their semi-final wins. Nice and simple that! 

The team news is in...

Here are your Starting XIs, #FRA and #CRO fans! #FRACRO // #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/f5v1NuaCtJ — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018

The atmosphere is ramping up nicely in Zagreb! Just imagine if Croatia win it! 

The #CRO fans have taken a shine to our reporter Ziad Mansour 😂#beINClub #beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/1vN9rvo3HA — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

So Micky Gray has selected his team of the tournament... Hmm disappointed the former England international didn't add in a member of Gareth Southgate's side in the team. Harry Kane? Kieran Trippier? Dare I say a slice of Jordan Pickford? 

.@mickygray33's team of the tournament 👇

Thoughts? 🤔#beINClub #beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/tzPkDnJ89d — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

We have our first arrival! The Croatians are here! Aarran Summers gives us the lowdown on the Vatreni who are taking part in their first ever World Cup final.

The French fans seem to be in good voice, Jamie Easton chats with two Les Bleus fans ahead of the final. Extra respect to the guy in that flower hat. The things people do for football... 

So Deschamps can join a very special club of winning the 2022 World Cup as a player and a manager! Can Les Blues lifte the World Crown later this evening? 

Can Didier Deschamps join the elite?#beINRussia #beINFWC #FRACRO #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/Sxhi74qDjD — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

The build-up has begun! Join our reporters LIVE in Moscow to get a taste of that big match atmosphere! 

#FRA v #CRO is coming up live on 📺 MAX HD3!

Join our Twitter exclusive build-up with @aarransummers, @tancredipalmeri & @eastonjamie!#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCupFinal https://t.co/q5RL9KO5zt — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

Prediction time! Who do you think is going to lift the World Cup? Feel free to vote via beIN SPORTS on Twitter... Or if a personal interaction is more your thing... You can drop me a prediction line via Twitter! 

#WorldCupFinal day has arrived!

For the last time 😢 comment your predictions below👇

🇫🇷 🆚 🇭🇷 #beINRussia #beINFWC #FRACRO #WorldCup — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 15, 2018

The World Cup final is only a few hours away, and immediately after the focus will be on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This video from the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy gives you a flavour of what to expect from the first ever World Cup held in the Arab World. 

It's been quite the World Cup on beIN SPORTS. The biggest names have been with us in the studio, from Paul Scholes, Arsene Wenger, Yaya Toure and Gilberto Silva (my personal favourite) this snappy video should give you an idea of how it went down! 

Hello! Welcome to the Live Updates for the World Cup final! France Vs Croatia from the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow! It's the biggest game in World football, and we will have you covered all the way on the beIN SPORTS website, with a live match stream, Live Highlights of the goals as they go in, and all the reaction from our pundits and the players. So sit back, occasionally hit refresh and enjoy the build up! 

Preview

France & Croatia battle it out for the biggest prize in World football on Sunday evening. As they face off in the 2018 World Cup final in Moscow. For France, this is an opportunity to lift their second World Crown, having previously won the title on home soil in 1998. As for Croatia, this will be their first ever World Cup final and will be looking to upset an assured Les Bleus side.

The contest between the two sides is not short of history, as France defeated Croatia 2-0 in the 1998 semi-final on route to lifting the World Cup. Vatreni will be looking to get some revenge and become immortal in the process. You can watch the World Cup Final between France & Croatia via beIN SPORTS CONNECT.

Defensive stability has been the standout feature of this Les Bleus side under Didier Deschamps. Despite having a young side packed with attacking talent, it has been the rearguard that has taken the headlines. The centre-back pairing of Verane & Umtiti has been rock solid and again will be crucial if France is to go all the way again.

After losing the 2016 European Championship final on home soil, France will not take their opponents lightly, despite Croatia going to extra-time in their last three knockout games. Whilst a victory for Deschamps will mean that he joins Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer to have lifted the World Cup as a player and a coach.

The contest in the Luzhninki stadium is likely to be a tight and tetchy affair. Kylian Mbappé has the potential to light up the final, just as Zinedine Zidane did in 1998. The PSG attacker has three goals in the tournament and was the standout player in the 1-0 semi-final victory over Belgium. The 19-year old's battle with defender Domagoj Vida will certainly be one to watch out for in the final.

France Predicted Team
Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Pogba,  Kante; Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi;  Giroud.

How to watch Online- beIN SPORTS CONNECT

TV Channel- MAX HD3

Kick-off- 18:00

Stadium- Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Croatia has overcome extra-time and penalties in their last three knockout games and will have the faith the World Cup is only 90 minutes away. The current Golden Generation of stars lead by Luca Modric have sparkled during the World Cup, putting performances to make the European nation proud.

Vatreni came from a goal down against England to defeat the Three Lions 2-1 in extra-time to seal their first ever World Cup final visit. Tiredness will certainly not be a factor for Zlatco Dalic's charges who are on the cusp of making history.

The experience of the Croatian side could be a decisive factor when taking on a youthful Les Bleus in the final. The likes of Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric & Mario Mandzukic have played in Champions League finals, and know exactly what it takes to win a football match. This was certainly clear in the semi-final against England, in which Croatia showed composure to battle back and get the vital extra-time winner and close out the contest.

 Luka Modric is the driving force of this side and now has his eyes on the biggest trophy of them all. The Real Madrid midfielder has led by example as captain of the side, and at 32 now represents his final chance of winning the World Cup. Croatia will be happy to concede possession to the French, and the forward passing of Modric on the breakaway will be crucial if Croatia is to lift a maiden World Cup.  

Croatia Predicted Team
Subasic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic; Rakitic, Brozovic; Rebic, Modric, Perisic; Mandzukic

It promises to be a fascinating encounter as France & Croatia battle it out for the World Cup.  Watch the Live & Exclusive stream of the game on MAX HD3 & beIN SPORTS CONNECT.