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 15:00 · Michael Jones]

One hour to go until kick off, Team Independent is ready to go!

[15 July 2018 15:05 · Michael Jones]

Kylian Mbappe is set to become only the third teenager to play in a World Cup final, that's quite an achievement. 

[15 July 2018 15:18 · Michael Jones]

Both teams line up with the same formation, I'm backing Croatia and not just because I've got them in the sweepstake! 

[15 July 2018 15:31 · Michael Jones]

30 minutes until kick off and France are looking to go one step further than Euro '16

[15 July 2018 15:43 · Michael Jones]

Oh wow! 50/50 for the results of the who's going to win twitter poll, surely the game isn't going to be this close... right? 

[15 July 2018 15:51 · Michael Jones]

10 minutes to go until kick off, we've got all the match action for you right here as Molly Hudson brings you live updates from the Luzhniki stadium as France take on Croatia in the World Cup final.  

[15 July 2018 16:07 · Michael Jones]

The World Cup final is underway!

Croatia have started well, getting up high with the ball and putting the pressure on the French, Varane is defending strongly as he has done all tournament and is happy to let his team get themselves into the game 

[15 July 2018 16:13 · Michael Jones]

The first 10 minutes belong to Croatia, apart from a goal they've had everything so far, runs down the wings, long balls and dangerous crosses into the box, France need to get themselves into the game and once they do you have to wonder how long it'll be before fatigue hits Croatia. 

[15 July 2018 16:20 · Michael Jones]

Well how about that, France take the lead, Griezmann whips a free kick into Croatia's area and Mario Mandzukic gets a little flick onto the ball in an attempt to clear it and instead guides it into the back of the net.

[15 July 2018 16:34 · Michael Jones]

And it's all square!

Ivan Perisic drills a left footed strike from inside the area and Lloris had no chance of stopping that. Perisic picking up his good form where he left it against England.