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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08:36
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the World Cup final, which takes place in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium between France and Croatia.
With kick-off due for 16:00 BST, we'll have all the build-up and pre-match coverage you'll need from midday.
But in the meantime, read what Independent columnist Frank de Boer has to say on his own experiences in the World Cup final and why he believes one man will have the biggest say on who lifts the trophy.
10:41
It's a bit like Christmas day morning, the wait is over and the biggest game in the footballing calendar awaits us this afternoon. For France many of these players experienced heartbreak at the Euro 2016 final and will know the weight of expectation on their shoulders, whilst for Croatia this is their biggest game EVER.
10:59
Miguel Delaney previews the biggest game in the footballing world.
Who can rise to be this year’s 1998 Zinedine Zidane, or fall to be 2006’s Zinedine Zidane; stride to be 1958 Pele, or stumble to be 1994 Roberto Baggio?
11:12
We have just under five hours away from kick off, so it's about time we take a look at some of the biggest stars on show.
Let's start with France, the favourites, and one of the most talented squads in the World Cup as a whole.
A front line of Olivier Giroud,Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe offers the perfect mixture of strength, skill and speed. If the going gets tough against Croatia, Giroud could offer the unexpected threat of height against Dejan Lovren. - who called himself one of the best defenders in the world after the England game (I'll leave you to make your own jokes).
Griezmann and Mbappe are both in with an outside chance of the Golden Boot if they can get a hat-trick today, but make no mistake they would give up any individual glory to hold aloft the World Cup trophy this evening.
11:22
Next up for France is the midfield. Depending on Didier Deschamps team selection one member of that midfield may be up for grabs, but it's likely to fall to Blaise Matuidi - his hard work and box-to-box running have made him a favourite of Deschamps in a highly-talented squad.
But two names that are almost first on the team sheet for the French are Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante. The perfect mix of defensive guile and attacking flair, Jose Mourinho must be sat at home wishing Manchester United had bid a little bit harder for Kante when he left Leicester as a Premier League champion.
For all Pogba's potential, on a stage crammed to the rafters with talent from all over the world, he has thrived without the constant spotlight of being the supposed star at United, and has fulfilled the talent that he has been promising for so long. Kante, by his side, allows him the freedom to roam forward on his long, galloping runs always providing a safety net for the defence behind him.
11:36
Then comes the defence. The emerging star of Benjamin Pavard has risen quite remarkably this tournament with solid defensive ability, and who could forget his goal against Argentina?
Lucas Hernandez has gone under the radar for the French but has performed admirably particularly when under pressure against Belgium.
But at the heart of France's back line are two of the most talented defenders in the world. Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti and Real Madrid's Raphael Varane are the fiercest of rivals in La Liga but have combined to display a reading of the game and temperament beyond their years, marred only by a bizarre Umtiti handball against Australia in the group stages.
11:42
Our reporter in Russia, Miguel Delaney is in prime position to give us all the insight into the action at the Luzhniki Stadium, not to mention getting his hands on a rather nice matchday programme...
11:50
Miguel also seems to have got himself Willy Wonka's golden ticket...
12:04
So we've had a look at where France are dangerous - and came to the conclusion that it's pretty much everywhere. For any Croatia fans joining us though, it's not all doom and gloom, there's plenty of talent in red and white too.
Manager, Zlatko Dalić, has been with the team for just nine months, and decided to take just two recognised strikers to Russia alongside less traditional forwards such as Andrej Kramaric. One of them, Mario Mandzukic, became all too familiar for England fans on Wednesday, scoring an extra time winner, and proving why he is one of the deadliest targetman in world football.
The other, Nikola Kalinic was sent home after refusing to play a substitute role in the group games. A penny for his thoughts as he watches his country play their first World Cup final as he watches from his sofa.
12:19
Here's Croatia's biggest threat - the midfield. As France have one defender from each of La Liga's big hitters in the heart of their defence, Croatia have the same in their midfield.
Real Madrid's Luka Modric has been the star for Croatia so far in this tournament, and has led his country from the front. Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic also has undeniable talent and has been one of the crucial cogs in their side over recent years, but was less than impressive against England and will need to improve this afternoon with the battle between Modric and Rakitic and Pogba and Kante likely to define the game as both nations look to release their attacking talent upfield.
12:21
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."
12:34
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.
12:45
According to this interesting preview image of the World Cup final Ivan Rakitic looks to be playing a starring role...
12:47
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.
12:54
Two of the key men in this afternoon's final.
12:58
The biggest moment EVER for Croatian football, their fans and the country as a whole. Huge.
13:07
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.
13:14
The Maracana has to be hard to beat, surely?
13:34
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.”
13:48
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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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
