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...

---

Please allow a moment for the blog to load...

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 13:15 · Michael Jones]

 They've been Croatia's 12th man on the pitch for all their games and now the fans are swarming into Moscow for the final, will they have an impact later today?

[15 July 2018 13:27 · Michael Jones]

"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?"

Miguel Delaney takes a look at the World Cup final that boasts differing styles, aims and ambitions.

[15 July 2018 13:38 · Michael Jones]

 The World Cup trophy has arrived in the Luzhniki stadium, 2 and a half hours to go until kick off.

[15 July 2018 13:51 · Michael Jones]

This World Cup has been unique in many ways, Croatia are in the final, Germany were knocked out in the group stages, England won a penalty shootout but perhaps the most contentious has been the introduction of VAR. 

Jim van Wijk takes a look at the World Cup's most memorable VAR moments and whether or not it has been a success.

[15 July 2018 13:59 · Michael Jones]

Argentina have sacked their coach Jorge Sampaoli by mutual consent, this comes after a disappointing campaign for Argentina.

Ed Malyon has the details:

[15 July 2018 14:12 · Michael Jones]

Less than 2 hours before the Luzhniki becomes the host of the 2018 World Cup final but will it be as good as the Old Wembley stadium? 

[15 July 2018 14:21 · Michael Jones]

Here's a head-to-head look at two of today's key players, Griezmann and Perisic, do they hold the keys to victory for their respective nations? 

[15 July 2018 14:25 · Michael Jones]

And here's the team news, who've you got based on this? 

[15 July 2018 14:40 · Michael Jones]

[15 July 2018 14:50 · Michael Jones]

More firsts for the Croatian side as they became the first nation to have a female manager on the front line bench at the World Cup.

Harriet Marsden brings you the details: