The French players break out in wild celebrations...

The World Cup final between France and Croatia was briefly interrupted when three intruders affiliated to anti-Kremlin punk band Pussy Riot ran onto the pitch before being hauled off by stewards.

Brazil legend Pele took to Twitter to praise France sensation Kylian Mbappe after the 19-year-old became only the second teenager ever to score in a World Cup final.

Croatia captain Luka Modric beat competetion from the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Eden Hazard to win the golden ball as the best player in the World Cup even as his side lost the final of the showpiece event 4-2 against France.

Lady Luck plays a small but significant role in a World Cup that runs over a month.

Paul Pogba wanted his own star and 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe wanted to make an everlasting impression on his World Cup debut. Their wishes were granted as France lifted the World Cup with a 4-2 win against Croatia in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow yesterday.

The World Cup has helped changed people's view of Russia, FIFA President Gianni Infantino told an audience at an event in Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre on Saturday, standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.

What a World Cup Eden Hazard has had for Belgium. While Belgium will not emerge from this tournament as World Cup winners, Hazard has cemented his reputation as one of the world's best players.

Manager Gareth Southgate said England have "no illusions" as to their standing in international football after finishing fourth at the World Cup in Russia.

The World Cup final between France and Croatia in Moscow on Sunday brings the curtain down on a month-long festival of football that has changed perceptions of the host country while also giving hope to the underdog on the field.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday handed over the mantle of World Cup host to the emir of Qatar, whose country will stage the 2022 edition of the tournament.

A third place finish at the World Cup on Saturday leaves a strong legacy for Belgian football, coach Roberto Martinez said, as he declared the tournament a success for his team.

Scores of Croatian fans took to the streets of Moscow on Sunday ahead of their country's first ever World Cup final appearance, cheering and waving flags in anticipation of the historic match against France.

Is the football World Cup all about winning the big prize? This may be the case for a few but for the majority of nations it is more about being a part of it. Mexico's coach Juan Carlos Osorio is a Colombian and he knows just how painful and devastating a defeat can be. After his side lost 2-0 against Brazil in the round of 16 on July 2, he made a very interesting observation.

Despite a disappointing World Cup run by Peru, a district in Lima has unveiled statues of the coach Ricardo Gareca and top scorer Paolo

France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final of the World Cup in Moscow to win the world title for the second time.

France are 2-1 ahead against Croatia at halftime in the World Cup final after a pulsating opening 45 minutes at the Luzhniki Stadium.

France and Croatia go into Sunday's World Cup final in Moscow with the same starting line-ups as in their semi-final wins over Belgium and England respectively.

Croatia face France in Moscow attempting to win their first World Cup while Didier Deschamps' side are aiming to land their second title two decades on from their triumph on home soil.

Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric -- at different ends of their careers -- have dazzled in Russia to help propel France and Croatia to Sunday's World Cup final.