World Cup 2018 LIVE - France vs Croatia final build-up and latest news, England vs Belgium reaction as squads fly home

All the latest news and reaction after England exit the World Cup

World Cup final: All you need to know

It’s the final day at Russia 2018 as the World Cup final takes place between France and Croatia.

Five weeks of dramatic and breath-taking football culminates in the biggest sporting event in the world this afternoon, with 32 teams whittled down to just two. France will head into the Moscow final as heavy favourites, having eased past Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium to get here, while Croatia have done it the hard way by beating Denmark and Russia on penalties and England in extra-time.

We’ll also have all the latest from the England camp as they fly back from Russia following their joint-best performance at the World Cup in 52 years, although the campaign ended in disappointment as Gareth Southgate’s side suffered a 2-0 defeat in the third-place play-off against Belgium. However, Harry Kane looks set to become England’s first winner of the World Cup Golden Boot – providing one of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann don’t score a hat-trick in today’s final!

Follow all the latest news below...

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Key Points

• World Cup final between France and Croatia kicks off at 16:00 BST
• Frank de Boer column: I know what it's like to suffer World Cup final heartbreak
• Miguel Delaney: Why the World Cup final remains the biggest sporting event
• England bow out in disappointment with 2-0 defeat by Belgium

[15 July 2018 11:08 · Michael Jones]

With this chapter of international football almost closed for England (Harry Kane may still win the Golden Boot) the focus has shifted to the next tournament in two years time.

England's performance in the 2020 European Championship will be crucial to how successful this World Cup has been, if they perform well then the foundations were built in Russia, if they revert back to the ways of old England then Russia will be seen as a one-off and possibly a disappointing one at that. 

[15 July 2018 11:26 · Michael Jones]

Gareth Southgate has done wonders for England this tournament and to get so close to a World Cup final is heartbreaking.

He spoke out about his experiences of '96 and how it'll be different for him this time. 

[15 July 2018 11:32 · Michael Jones]

But enough about England for the time being, today is a special day for France and Croatia, one match to go, one last chance for the players to write themselves into footballing glory. 

[15 July 2018 11:34 · Michael Jones]

No-one knows that better than Luka Modric. He's been speaking out about his ambitions ahead of the World Cup final.  

Have a listen below: 

[15 July 2018 11:47 · Michael Jones]

Earlier this week, following Croatia's victory over England he came out and said he was one of the best defenders in the world, now Dejan Lovren becomes only the second player for an English club to get to the Champions League final and the World Cup final in the same year.

Second only to Thierry Henry, not bad company at all. Maybe he is one of the best defenders in the world.

[15 July 2018 12:03 · Michael Jones]

"The French and Croatian players will know that they are on the brink of history heading into the World Cup final. But they must not think like that.

That is the key to playing a final. You cannot think about the history going into it. Only about the game itself."

Frank de Boer gives his insight on how to handle the pressure of football's biggest game.

[15 July 2018 12:16 · Michael Jones]

Our very own Miguel Delaney once again providing the perfect insight behind the scenes at the World Cup, on a side note that official programme looks amazing!

[15 July 2018 12:30 · Michael Jones]

I think it's safe to say that when Russia was announced as the hosts of the 2018 World Cup there were more than a few concerns but now as we come the end of what has been an extraordinary tournament, I'm happy to say that it's been a resounding success for both football and the country that hosted it. 

[15 July 2018 12:43 · Michael Jones]

Lovely round up of the all the previous World Cup winners, who'll join them today France or Croatia?

[15 July 2018 13:02 · Michael Jones]

Do the ends justify the means? Is legacy only built by winning?

Miguel Delaney debates both sides of Didier Deschamps' French side: the victors or the entertainers.