Fifa World Cup 2018 final: France clinch second title after six-goal Moscow spectacle

Hello and welcome to the highlights of Fifa World Cup 2018 final from Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino, the only man to have not gotten his hair wet in the rain, hands over the Jules Rimet Trophy to French players. Hugo Lloris collects it and the wild celebrations begin.

Kylian Mbappe slides with the trophy as his teammates join him and pose for the shutterbugs. Didier Deschamps, the man who has achieved a double, is celebrating with the team as well. The lap of honour begins as the French fans are living their dreams. 

It's raining in Moscow as the presentation ceremony begins!

It's time for Antoine Griezmann's men to go on to the podium. The Jules Rimmet Trophy is up there as well. 

Croatia get a guard of honour from the French players as they go to collect the runners-up medal.

Kylian Mbappe gets the Young Player Award and Luka Modric deservedly bags the Golden Ball Award. 

Harry Kane, with six goals, gets the Golden Boot while Belgium's Thibaut Courtois get the Golden Glove Award. 

Fifa Fair Play Award goes to Spain, who were knocked out in the Round of 16. 

Own goal, penalty, VAR controversy and a goalkeeping error. You name it and the World Cup 2018 final had everything in it. 

And at the end, sportsmanship prevails as French coach and players take time out of their victory celebrations to console and congratulate the runners-up. Wonderful scenes these!

Croatia had begun the final on a high with an aggressive intent but against the run of play a Mario Mandzukic's own goal gave France the lead. 

Ivan Perisic equalised with a stunner but France took the lead through an Antoine Griezmann penalty after a controversial VAR decision. 

The second half had more drama as Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe scored two screamers before Hugo Lloris' goalkeeping error allowed Croatia to claw back. 

However, Luka Modric's men weren't able to reduce the two-goal deficit towards the end as France's backline stepped up and did the job. 

What is being labelled as one of the best World Cups had one of the most dramatic final. Fitting!

Croatia have been denied World Cup history as they could have become the eighth new champion at the World Cup. The disappointment in Luka Modric and his teammates' face tell the story. 

Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps displays a touch of class as he walks into the Croatian huddle to appreciate the runners-up.

Meanwhile, French players are doing the victory lap. They are getting the French flags from the crowd. Paul Pogba leads the charge and deservedly so. He was brilliant throughout the tournament and stepped it up in the final. 

Stats from the World Cup final.

It's all over for Croatia. At the end of a frenetic six-goal encounter, France are crowned the new world champions. 

This is the second time France have won the title after Didier Deschamps' men clinched glory in the 1998 edition. The jubilant tactician is celebrating as he becomes only the third man to complete a coach-played World Cup double. 

The French players are throwing their coach in the air while celebrating the fantastic win.

Meanwhile, Croatia have gathered along the sidelines to reflect on what was a crazy final. They acknowledge the support from the crowd. Luka Modric's men were brilliant throughout the tournament and deserve to go home with their heads held high.  

Time is running out for Croatia. The French supporters at the stands are already celebrating. 

Olivier Giroud is coming off for France. He finishes the World Cup campaign without scoring a goal. Nabil Fekir is the man who replaces the Chelsea striker. 

Croatia replace Strinic with Pjaca. 

It's chaos in Moscow. Mario Madzukic, this time, shoots at the right post. 

Hugo Lloris made a horrible mistake after receiving a back pass. The French goalkeeper played it to an oncoming Mandzukic, who makes no mistake.

Will this goal help Croatia steal the momentum back from France?

Meanwhile, a few substitutions are being made now. 

Tolisso has replaced Matuidi for France, their second change. Earlier Deschamps had replaced  Kante with Nzonzi. 

Kramaric comes on for Croatia, replacing Rebic. 

The Paris Saint-Germain teenager has done it again!

Kylian Mbappe scores a screamer from outside the box. He becomes only the second teenager after Pele himself to score a goal in a World Cup final. 

Mbappe received the ball outside the box and sent a thunderous strike past Subasic. 

Paul Pogba scores with his left-foot. He initiated the attack by releasing Mbappe down the left again. He reaches the box to meet a deflected shot from the PSG star. 

Pogba shot with his right and it was blocked but he got hold of the rebound and found a way past Subasic. 

The Manchester United man has been brilliant today with his vision and creativity. He deservedly gets on the scoresheet. 

Kylian Mbappe gets into action to help swing back the momentum in France's favour. Manchester United's Paul Pogba released the PSG star with a wonderful pass and Mbappe tried to find the back of the net from the left. 

Subasic was up to the task, booting it off with his left foot. This is exciting football!

Ivan Perisic received a wonderful ball from Ivan Rakitic before firing one towards the goal. Hugo Lloris made a crucial save to deny Croatia the equaliser. 

Nothing came of the resulting corner but Croatia made another good run into the box but lacked the finishing skills. This has been yet another good start from Zlatko Dalic's men. Can they maintain the pressure? 

Croatia get the second half underway in Moscow. Meanwhile, here are a few reactions to the VAR decision in the first-half. 

This was the first time since the 1974 World Cup that three goals were scored in the first-half of the final. 

Will we see more in the second 45 minutes? Croatia certainly need more. 

It's half-time at the Luzhniki Stadium. France are leading Croatia by a goal. 

Zlatko Dalic's men started the match on a high with aggressive intent but against the run of play, Mario Mandzukic's own goal gave France the early advantage. 

Ivan Perisic, who has been brilliant at the left, scored a screamer to put Croatia back on level terms but the winger's handball helped France take the lead again. 

The VAR decision to award the penalty to France will be debated for a while. There was no intentional handling of the ball from Perisic but the referee pointed to the spot  and Antoine Griezmann made no mistake. 

First-half stats

Croatia were the dominant team in the first-half but they are trailing at the break. 

1. Possession: FRA 39%, CRO 61%
2. Attempts: FRA 1, CRO 7
3. On-Target: FRA 1, CRO 1
4. CORNERs: FRA 1, CRO 4
5. Pass accuracy: FRA 73%, CRO 84%

Croatia got two back-to-back corners towards. Ivan Rakitic's delivery was fine on both occasions but none of the chequered shirts was able to make contact. Meanwhile, Samuel Umtiti has gone down inside the box and he is going out for medical attention. 

Croatia aren't bogged down by the controversial goal. Ivan Perisic delivers a brilliant cross from the left but Mario Mandzukic isn't able to make good use of it. 

Meanwhile, it has to be debated if Perisic deliberately handled the ball. From the replays, it didn't seem so. This VAR decision will be the major talking point of this World Cup if the scoreline stays the same at the end of the 90 minutes. 

Antoine Griezmann does no mistake. He sends Subasic to the wrong side while slotting one into the low left corner of the net. 

Croatia are still complaining but the decision and the goal stands. 

Notably, France haven't lost a match that had a Griezmann goal. Can Croatia fight back? 

Ivan Perisic goes from being Croatia's hero to their villain in just a few minutes. He was found guilty of handling the ball inside the box while he was defending a French corner. 

The VAR was consulted and after a long delay, the referee awards the penalty to France. Griezmann to take it. 

Stunner from Ivan Perisic. His third goal of the World Cup finals in Russia. 

N'golo Kante was awarded the first yellow of the match for committing a foul on Perisic outside the penalty area. 

Luka Modric found the oncoming left-back at the right side of the box with his delivery. The ball was deflected to Perisic, who found space and sent the ball past Hugo Lloris with his left-foot. Stunner!

Things are level at 1-1 in Moscow. Kylian Mbappe also got into action a few minutes back, trying to hit Croatia on the break but good work from the Croatian left-back saw off the danger. 

What a moment for France! Against the run of play, the Les Blues take an early lead. 

Griezmann put a wonderful ball in from outside the box. Mario Mandzukic leaps above the rest and the ball gets deflected off his head into the net. 

It's the first time an own goal has been scored in a World Cup final. 

Okay, here's the first moment of offensive spark for France. Antoine Griezmann is brought down outside the box by Brozovic. The Atletico Madrid attacker is taking the free-kick. 

The likes of Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe are dropping back to help out the defenders. Strinic was in a dangerous position inside the box but the Paris Saint-Germain superstar teenager made an important tackle to put the ball for a corner. 

The Les Blues defence did well to fend off the threat from the set-piece. Solid start this for Croatia. 

Luka Modric conceded a free-kick but Croatia have already made a couple of threatening runs into the attacking third. How effective can Croatia be, given they have played three back-to-back 120-minute outings? 

The final of the 21st edition of the World Cup gets underway. France are in their blue colour while the Croatian checkerboard is eye-catching at the Luzhniki Stadium. 

Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps and Zlatko Dalic exchanged pleasantries ahead of the kick-off. 

What an atmosphere! With history at sight, players from both the sides have walked onto the middle. 

France's national anthem is being played first. 

Remember, Didier Deschamps' men are hoping to emulate the victorious French team of the 1998 World Cup, Croatia eye their first-ever World Cup title. 

Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Kosovian artist Era Istrefi are performing at the closing ceremony even as the fans are anxiously waiting for the match to start. Even Sony Pictures India have cut into a break now. 

One hour to go. We will continue to bring all the live updates from Moscow. 

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, it seems, wants to wrap up the Wimbledon final before the World Cup final. The Serb, bidding for a fourth Wimbledon title, is a set and 3-1 up against South Africa's Kevin Anderson. You can watch the tennis final here. 

Croatia will become the eighth team to win a Fifa World Cup if they achieve glory tonight. 

Just like their opponents, the team from the Balkan nation has remained unbeaten in the tournament so far. They have dispatched of the likes of Argentina, Russia, and England en route to the final. 

Captain and Real Madrid superstar Luka Modric runs the engine room along with Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, making their midfield one of the most dangerous in the tournament. 

Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic have been in fine form as well and Mario Mandzukic should be feeling confident after his winner against England in the semi-final. 

Can Dejan Lovren & Co. stop the dangerous French frontline? Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann have been in red-hot form while Olivier Giroud has been key as the lone striker. 

Who wouldn't want to watch a Fifa World Cup live from the stands in Moscow? 

Celebrated Olympian Usain Bolt is at the Luzhniki Stadium and so is former India cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly. 

The mood at the Luzhniki Stadium is going to be electric. Russia have so far won a lot of praise for being wonderful hosts of the World Cup. 

Check out these photographs to get a glimpse of the festive scene in Moscow. 

The Les Blue have the firepower to emulate the feat of Deschamps' victorious side from the 1998 World Cup. In Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud, they have one of the fearsome forward lines going around.

Their engine room is run by two of the best Premier League midfielders in N'golo Kante and Paul Pogba. The duo has been pivotal to France's success in the ongoing tournament as the Chelsea midfielder does the dirty job while the Manchester United star has wonderfully adapted to the defensive role.

Croatia have played three back-to-back extra-time periods in the lead up to the final. They had beaten Denmark and Croatia in the Round of 16 and quarter-final while Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal against England in the 109th minute of the semi-final.

Despite concerns over Fatigue coach Zlatko Dalic has fielded a strong unit. Didier Deschamps, who is bidding to become only the third man to win the Jules Rimet Trophy both as a player and as a coach, fields a strong XI as well. 

France: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kanté, Mbappé, Griezmann, Matuidi, Giroud.

Croatia: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Strinic, Lovren, Vida, Rakitic, Modric, Brozovic, Perisic, Mandzukic, Rebic.

France were one of the pre-tournament favourites and Didier Deschamps' men have done well to reach the final Sunday of the World Cup.

On the other hand, Croatia were considered dark horses. Luka Modric's men have performed as a unit and have reaped its rewards in Russia. 

Who will be crowned the champions later today? Take your call here.