Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

World Cup final 2018 LIVE France vs Croatia: France win the World Cup after six-goal thriller with Croatia - as it happened

Follow all the latest action from the World Cup final in Moscow

Molly Hudson
Sunday 15 July 2018 15:12 EDT
Comments
Pitch invaders interrupt play in World Cup final clash between France and Croatia

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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.

Re-live the action below...


Follow all the live action below...

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

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

You know when you think it's been a great World Cup and then Paul Pogba brings out the dab whilst holding the World Cup? Yeah, me too.

Molly Hudson15 July 2018 18:49

The Croatian contingent not a fan of Harry Kane (surprise, surprise)

Molly Hudson15 July 2018 18:50

Well what a World Cup it has been. From giants toppled, hosts surprising, England winning a penalty shootout and a six-goal thriller of a World Cup final. It seems such a shame we must wait four (and a half) years for another.

Ultimately France won, and the most worrying thing for the rest of the world is that this team were far from their best. Still young - younger than England's side which we have all waxed lyrical about - France's best players are likely to play two, three or in Kylian Mbappe's case even four more World Cups, with European Championships in between. Could this be the start of a dominance like the Germans?

Molly Hudson15 July 2018 19:02

Oliver Carroll takes a closer look at the hosts, and the way this World Cup has played out in a country many feared entering just a month ago.

Molly Hudson15 July 2018 19:03

Time flies when you're having fun, and the 64 games of this World Cup have flown by. 

Molly Hudson15 July 2018 19:06

Ivan Perisic. A goal and a handball that defined the game. Jack Pitt-Brooke takes a closer look at one of Croatia's biggest stars

Molly Hudson15 July 2018 19:09

Liam Twomey reports as Kylian Mbappe drew praise from the only other player to score in a World Cup final whilst still in his teens. Pele.

Molly Hudson15 July 2018 19:11

Now it's time for a rest, and some well deserved family time, before these players head off to pre-season around the globe.

Molly Hudson15 July 2018 19:16

World Cup final 2018: France used Euro 2016 pain to earn ‘supreme coronation’ in Moscow, says coach Didier Deschamps, by Liam Twomey​

Molly Hudson15 July 2018 19:20

Thibaut Courtois reacts to winning his Golden Glove award 

Molly Hudson15 July 2018 19:22

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in