Live updates as France and Croatia meet in the World Cup final at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. We’ll be bringing you all the action and reaction as it happens.
15 July 2018
As the fireworks continue to go off around Luzhniki Stadium in salute to France and to what has been a truly remarkable World Cup, we'll leave our live coverage.
However, you can check out a full match report here.
Don't forget to follow our dedicated World Cup website for all the reaction.
Thanks for following us, and goodbye.
A fireworks display goes off around Luzhniki Stadium, somewhat subdued by the torrential rain but with the French players and fans still in high spirits.
Finally France get their hands on the trophy as it pours down in Moscow! Golden ticker tape fills the air.
France have been crowned World Cup champions for the second time. Allez Les Bleus.
Torrential rain as France go up to collect their winners medals. Officials gallantly trying to hold an umbrella over Putin and others, but they are getting soaked.
They don't seem to mind though, with Macron happily shaking the hand of every French player.
The heavens have opened now at Luzhniki as Croatia go up to collect their runners-up medals.
The dignitaries are finally on the pitch, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, and French leader Emmanuel Macron.
We have some awards to go through first though.
French teen Mbappe is named young player of the tournament, while Luka Modric gets the Golden Ball for the best player.
Harry Kane wins the Golden Boot, although he isn't here in person to collect it, while Belgian stopper Thibaut Courtois - also absent - is announced as the Golden Glove winner.
We're still waiting for France to actually lift the golden trophy here in Moscow. Pretty lengthy wait for the presentation ceremony to get going.
STATS
Here are the numbers from that enthralling final.
Super-teen Mbappe
French 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe perhaps wasn't given full attacking rein today, but he got on the scoresheet - becoming the first teenager since Pele to do so in a World Cup final. Russia 2018 could be seen as a changing of the guard in future if this guy kicks on from here.
French players tear around the pitch with tricolor flags. Olivier Giroud even braves the end where the Croatian fans are, holding up a hand of apology that is initially met with derision but his applause to the fans is then returned. Nice to see.
We await the presentation ceremony here at Luzhniki. Both sets of players are thanking their respective of fans.
Huge pride for Croatia despite the defeat today. A nation of just 4.1 million dared to dream, and they more than played their part in a thrilling final. They did their nation proud and the fans acknowledge that.
Full-time: France 4-2 Croatia
French players stream onto the pitch, ecstasy for them, agony for Croatia.
It was a thrilling final that saw class and controversy, and providing a fitting end to what has been a wonderful tournament.
France in the end worthy winners, and coach Didier Deschamps becomes only the third man to win football's biggest prize as a player and a manager.
FULL-TIME: FRANCE WIN THE 2018 WORLD CUP!
90 +1 mins: Credit to the Croatian fans at Luzhniki. They are chanting and bouncing as if it's their team with the 4-2 lead and the World Cup in their pocket.
Meanwhile, Vrsaljko goes in the book for scything down Griezmann. France eating up the minutes here.
Additional time 5 minutes at Luzhniki. Russia 2018 is drawing to a close...
89 mins: The Croatian fans are still chanting, urging their team on desperately. They are huffing and puffing, but no sign of setting up a nervy finale yet.
Into the last five minutes of normal time here. French substitute Fekir tests Subasic from range, but the Croatian stopper saves easily.
83 mins: Croatia win a free-kick on the left, which Rakitic and Perisic try to take quickly before the referee calls it back. Rakitic gives him a sarcastic round of applause for the decision. When the free-kick is retaken it's launched into box and Lloris claims it safely. France within touching distance of the World Cup now.
81 mins: Another change for France, Olivier Giroud comes off, still with no World Cup 2018 goal to his name, but a workhorse for the team as ever. Nabil Fekir comes on.
Croatia make a change as well, with Strinic off, Marko Pjaca on.
78 mins: Croatia still pressing, this time Ivan Rakitic has a shot that goes wide. Looked like it might have taken a deflection on the way through, but no corner given.
Today's turnout has been announced at 78,011. The French fans among those far the happier as things stand.
76 mins: As you would expect, Croatia are not letting this go without a fight. They fire a series of ball into the French box which are scrambled clear,
74 mins: Another change, this time for France. Matuidi makes way for Corentin Tolisso. Approaching the last 15 minutes at Luzhniki.
71 mins: First change for Croatia as Ante Rebic makes way for Andrej Kramaric.
Howler from French 'keeper Hugo Lloris, who ambles on a back-pass and allows Mandzukic to steal the ball and roll it home.
Maybe we spoke too soon about France having it in the bag...
GOAL! France 4-2 Croatia
Mbappe with the fourth for France! Hernandez raids forward and feeds the PSG teenager on the edge of the box. He shoots past the Croatian defender and it nestles in the bottom corner. Subasic maybe unsighted,
This is getting cruel for Croatia. France surely now out of sight.
GOAL! France 4-1 Croatia
61 mins: Croatia are rocking at the back. France break, the ball comes in to Griezmann who is poised to turn the ball home, but a last-ditch slide by the Croatian defender denies him. Looks like a long way back for Croatia now.
Stunner from Paul Pogba! He curls a left-footed strike past a wrong-footed Subasic into the net to give France a two-goal cushion. It started with lovely work by Mbappe on the right, Griezmann laid the ball of to Pogba, whose initial shot was blocked but he curled in the rebound.
GOAL! France 3-1 Croatia
Want to argue some more about that penalty decision against Croatia? You can do it here, and see what others on social media have to say.
READ MORE: France score off first-ever World Cup final VAR penalty, but was the ref right?
52 mins: Lightning from Mbappe as he burns past Domagoj Vida and into the Croatia box, but Subasic saves his shot.
50 mins: Croatia pressing in the opening stages of the second half here, with the Rebic effort and two corners. France yet to settle after the break.
48 mins: Chance for Croatia! Rebic breaks free after being played in by Rakitic, he fires a rising shot from inside the box but Lloris tips it over the bar. Great stop from the French skipper.
Kick-off: We're underway for the second half in Moscow. Croatia need to come from behind - again -to rescue their World Cup dream.
VAR DEBATE
Debate is raging online over that VAR decision that led to the French penalty.
It did look incredibly harsh on Croatia. The ball hit Perisic's hand from about a yard away, and it didn't appear to be in what you would call "an unnatural position."
Definitely not clear-cut, and one that probably looked worse with the aid of a replay, leading Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana to give it.
FIRST-HALF STATS
Half-time: France 2-1 Croatia
An engrossing first half full of scandal, bite, and brilliance. Cagey it certainly was not.
We're in for a treat in the second half if things continue in the same vein.
3 minutes of added time at the end of the first half. Croatia have a corner but Vida heads wide.
A storm is brewing over Luzhniki stadium as a rumble of thunder can be heard breaking out. The action on the pitch is no less dramatic as we approach half time.
Hernandez goes in the book for France, joining Kante on a yellow. Some tasty tackles flying around from both teams.
Griezmann steps up to coolly slot home the spot-kick, sending Subasic the wrong way to score his fourth goal of Russia 2018 and hand France the lead.
GOAL! France 2-1 Croatia
That seems incredibly harsh on Croatia, it flicked the hand of Perisic as it went past Matuidi, but it was from such close range that he knew little about it. Anyway, France with a chance to retake the lead....
Referee Nestor Pitana has given a penalty to France!
France swing in a corner and there's an appeal for a Croatian hand, we've gone to VAR...
France looking content to let Croatia have the ball, with the men in red and white enjoying around 60% possession so far. Manager Didier Deschamps has been criticized before for not allowing the full attacking talents of his team to roam free, and they do seem somewhat shackled thus far today.
31 mins: Just past the half-hour mark in Moscow and you can't take your eyes off this one.
Thunderous strike from Ivan Perisic levels the score on 29 minutes!
The ball falls to him on the edge of the box after a free-kick is cleared, he takes a touch to make space past the French defender, and fires a volley past Hugo Lloris and into the net. Brilliant strike.
GOAL! France 1-1 Croatia
27 mins: First booking of the game goes to N'Golo Kante of France as he clips the Perisic in full flight inside the French half.
Croatian fans were not happy with the free-kick that led to that goal. Griezmann went down under what looked like the slightest of contact from Brozovic, referee Nestor Pitana gave the foul, and France scored from it.
That opening goal was against the run of play after that bright Croatian start, but they will need to settle and find a way back into this. They came from behind in each of their previous knockout stage games, and will need to do so again.
France are in front in Moscow, and it's an own goal from Mario Mandzkuic which hands them the lead.
Griezmann whips is a free-kick from the right, it's crowded in the box and Mandzukic rises in an attempt to clear, but it skims off his head and goes in!
GOAL! France 1-0 Croatia
17 mins: Mbappe with a first glimpse of the threat he poses as he skips past Strinic on France's right flank, but it's cleared.
15 mins: Perisic again down the left flank for Croatia, but his cross is cut out by Umtiti. France still haven't woken up yet judging by their start - very sluggish.
12 mins: First chants of 'Allez Les Bleus' from the French fans as their team enjoy a foray into the Croatian half, but it's short-lived.
10 mins: N'Golo Kante uncharacteristically gives the ball away in the French half, but Croatia can't capitalize and France clear. The underdogs enjoying much the better opening in Moscow.
9 mins: Paul Pogba gets taken out by Ante Rebic in the middle of the park. Croatia mixing it up at the moment, not shy to put in a tackle.
8 mins: All the action being played in the French half so far. Strinic sneaks past Mbappe on the left, but the teen is just about alert enough to scurry back and clear for a corner.
6 mins: Umtiti is coming in for some rough treatment in the opening stages, with Mandzukic the latest to foul the French centre-back. Think he's just been unlucky, rather than that being a Croatian tactic.
French president Emmanuel Macron has become more and more of a football fan as the tournament has gone on. He is, of course, watching from the stands today.
Here he is leading an Allez les Bleus! chant a couple of hours earlier.
5 mins: Croatia work a cross on the right this time, but Mario Mandzukic can't quite get a head on it. Lively opening from the Croatians.
3 mins: Croatia break through Ivan Perisic on the left - the man who tormented England in the semi-final. The danger is cleared, but Perisic will be key for Croatia today.
2 mins: Early foul from Luka Modric, who goes in late on Samuel Umtiti on the edge of the French box. A bit over-eager there, the Croatian skipper.
Kick-off: We're underway in Moscow, France in blue, Croatia in their traditional red and white.
The anthems are done, and we are just moments away from the start of the 2018 World Cup final in Moscow.
A giant World Cup is being unfurled on the pitch now as we approach kick-off, with the word 'The Final' underneath it. The flags of the two teams follow.
German great Philipp Lahm brings the World Cup trophy onto the pitch along with Russian model and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova.
Just under 10 minutes until we get underway...
Around 15 minutes to go until kick-off here, the Croatian fans behind the goal are in fine voice, French fans at the opposite end waving the tricolor. The atmosphere is bubbling nicely.
We've now gone a lot more Russian with a rousing rendition of Kalinka - with Brazil legend Ronaldinho on the bongo drums!
Huge cheer as Will Smith comes out to perform the official World Cup anthem 'Live it up' at Luzhniki with Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi.
Russian dance hit 'Moscow never sleeps' is now blasting out on the stadium speakers, with a colorful dance display and giant screens on the pitch and flags showing action from the tournament.
CLOSING CEREMONY
The pre-match ceremony is underway in Moscow, started by the strains of Robbie Williams' hit 'Let me entertain you'.
The man himself isn't here in person this time, perhaps to the organizers' relief after the middle-finger incident in the opening ceremony.
ROAD TO THE FINAL - CROATIA
The Croatians' route to the final has been less straightforward than Les Bleus.
They came through a group containing Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland with three wins from three, including a 3-0 rout over Argentina.
Things were more difficult after that, and they needed penalty shootouts to beat Denmark in the last 16 and then hosts Russia in the quarter-final, before seeing off England in extra-time in the semi-final.
It's been a grueling route to Croatia's first World Cup final, but they have more step to go for footballing immortality.
ROAD TO THE FINAL - FRANCE
France emerged from a group containing Australia, Peru and Denmark, earning wins over the Socceroos and Peru and a draw against the Danes.
They then sent Messi and Argentina packing with a thrilling 4-3 in the last 16, before easing past South Americans Uruguay in the quarter-finals.
They then beat a highly-rated Belgium team 1-0 in the semi-final, booking their spot in their third World Cup final. They were victorious on home soil in 1998, but lost to Italy in 2006.
Both teams are out on the Luzhniki pitch warming up. It's a humid Moscow day with the temperature in the mid-20Cs. So far no sign of the rain that was promised earlier.
TEAM NEWS
The team news is that there is no news – both sides line up the same as they did in their respective semi-finals.
For France that means Lloris in goal, Hernandez, Umtiti, Varane and Pavard at the back, Pogba and Kante at the base of midfield, Matuidi, Griezmann and Mbappe in front of them, and Giroud leading the line up front.
The Croatian line-up is Subasic in goal, Strinic, Lovren, Vida and Vrsaljko across the back, Brozovic and Rakitic at the base of midfield, Perisic on the left, Rebic on the right, Modric through the middle and Mandzukic up top.
WELCOME
It’s finally here, the big one. After four and a half weeks of football and 63 games, France and Croatia will battle it out for World Cup glory.
It’s been a wonderful tournament, but how will it all end? We’ll find out soon enough, so stay with us.