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France win FIFA World Cup in thrilling final

It finally down to two, as France and Croatia battle it out at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday for the FIFA World Cup
Hamza Khan Updated 15 Jul, 2018

It finally down to two, as France and Croatia battle it out at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday for the FIFA World Cup 2018 crown.

The Les Bleus are aiming to repeat his 1998 success by bringing the World Cup to France for just the second time, while the Croats are bidding for their maiden triumph.

They are the heavy favourites ahead of the final, but Luka Modric and Co showed they are capable of upsetting the odds with their semi-final victory over England.

Live Updates:

Full time: France 4-2 Croatia

90+2min: Croatia 2-4 France

Mbappe and Pogba attack down the right flank on the break.

90min: Croatia 2-4 France

Brozovic concedes a free-kick and kicks the ball away in frustration.

89min: Croatia 2-4 France

Desperate from Rakitic, probably tiredness as well, as he fires a long range effort well off target.

83min: Croatia 2-4 France

Free-kick for Croatia. Rakitic swings the ball into the penalty area, where Lloris plucks it from the sky.

Croatia substitution: Ivan Strinic off, Marko Pjaca. France substitution: Olivier Giroud off, Nabil Fekir on.

81min: Croatia 2-4 France

Croatia have to push on now and they leave just two back against Mbappe.

10 minutes left......

79min: Croatia 2-4 France

Close for Croatia, as a wonderful move ends with a low, diagonal Rakitic shot being deflected narrowly wide of the far upright by Nzonzi.

75min: Croatia 2-4 France

Six goals, an own goal, a howler or two, VAR - what else can Russia 2018 gift us in the remaining few minutes?

70min: Croatia 2-4 France

GOAL! for Croatia. Mandzukic …

65min: Croatia 1-4 France

GOAL! This time the teenager Mbappe. He is the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since a young Brazilian lad by the name of Pele a very long time ago.

63min: Croatia 1-3 France

That has to be it now for Croatia surely? France are now pressing for a fourth and for the first time in the knock-out stages.

59min: Croatia 1-3 France

Pogba scores for France.

55min: Croatia 1-2 France

France make their first switch, with the Kante making way for Nzonzi.

54min: Croatia 1-2 France

Some fans have just invaded the pitch to briefly bring a halt to the game.

53min: Croatia 1-2 France

Suddenly France break away through Mbappe who after holding off Vida in the box  sees his shot from an acute angle well smothered by Subasic.

52min: Croatia 1-2 France

France under pressure. Varane is forced to tip a long ball back to his keeper at full stretch, with Lloris having to race out the box and calmly chest the ball away from Mandzukic.

48min: Croatia 1-2 France

Rebic is put through on goal by a wonderful pass from Rakitic.

47min: Croatia 1-2 France

Croatia have started the second half in the same way they started the game.

We are underway again....

Half Time: Croatia 1-2 France

45+2min: Croatia 1-2 France

There are grey skies over the Luzhniki Stadium and a couple of rumbles of thunder rend the air.

44min: Croatia 1-2 France

Hernandez is booked for a late challenge on Rebic and not long afterwards, Perisic has a shot blocked by Pogba, who puts the ball out for a corner.

43min: Croatia 1-2 France

As you might expect, Croatia have not wilted into their shells and they are pressing for an equaliser before the break.

41min: Croatia 1-2 France

Mandzukic is too slow to react after Rebic fails to connect with a wonderful Perisic cross from the left into the penalty area.

39min: Croatia 1-2 France

France get their lead back against Croatia. Griezmann!!!

36min: Croatia 1-1 France

VAR review. France get a penalty after the ball struck Perisic's arm.

28min: Croatia 1-1 France

What a reply by Croatia. Perisic is the man again. They are back in the game.

25min: Croatia 0-1 France

With just over a quarter of the game gone, Croatia’s players and supporters must be cursing their luck.

23min: Croatia 0-1 France

Brilliant tackle from the left-back Matuidi to avoid as France counter-attack.

18min: Croatia 0-1 France

GOAL! France take the lead courtesy of Mandzukic’s own Goal

17min: Croatia 0-0 France

Griezmann gets what might well have been his first touch of the game. free-kick!!

16min: Croatia 0-0 France

More threats from Croatia as Perisic gets into space down the left but his low cross is well intercepted by Pavard.

14min: Croatia 0-0 France

France get the ball out of their own half, only to see it sent back with interest courtesy of a powerful Lovren header.

12min: Croatia 0-0 France

Perisic chases a beautifully weighted pass over the top from Rakitic, but the ball’s rolls out of play.

10min: Croatia 0-0 France

It’s all Croatia, with France struggling to get out of their own half.

8min: Croatia 0-0 France

It's a decent delivery from the left but Benjamin Pavard rises up to head clear.

5min: Croatia 0-0 France

It's all Croatia, Rebic finds Vrsaljko on the overlap but his cross is well cleared.

4min: Croatia 0-0 France

Croatia have made a sharp start, France looking slow and nervous in comparison.

3min: Croatia 0-0 France

Modric concedes the first free-kick of the game with a foul on Umtit.

2min: Croatia 0-0 France

Croatia control the very early ball, France won't mind sitting back and then using Mbappe on the break.

The World Cup final is underway.....

HERE WE GO! The teams come out, walking past the trophy….

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018

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