Chris Waddle
Ex-England winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Croatia look very relaxed. France are just coming to terms with it. They haven't got their foot on the ball yet.

Croatia will get joy with the two wingers.

Image source, Getty Images

Croatia have made a sharp start, France looking slow and nervous in comparison. Ivan Perisic nicks the ball on the left and almost screams into space, has to settle for a throw in the end.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Moscow

Huge noise coming from the Croatian supporters, who seem to have commandeered an entire end of Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. They certainly seem to be here in greater numbers than their France counterparts.

OK Martin, a 7-7 thriller with five red cards and an Olivier Giroud hat-trick it is.

Martin Keown
Former England defender on BBC One

It has been an amazing World Cup. I would suggest we expect the unexpected because it has been that kind of tournament.

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

Away we go!

Chris Waddle
Ex-England winger on BBC Radio 5 live

This has got the makings of a great game. Let's hope they don't cancel each other out. There is enough talent out there for this to be a great final.

It's been a slow burn of build-up for this World Cup final but I'm getting the buzz now. In four years time we'll have to wait until the week before Christmas for this feeling.

It's a long time gone. So join us for one more game from Russia 2018.

You've done brilliantly.

'If not now? When?' reads a banner held up in the Croatia end.

England fans could have borrowed that one had they squeaked through in midweek.

Croatia anthem time.

The lyrics to Our Beautiful Homeland were written as a poem in 1835 by Antun Mihanovic, with Josip Runjanin composing the melody the following decade. Though unofficially used since the 19th century, Croatia officially adopted it as the national anthem in 1972, despite still being part of Yugoslavia.

Belted out too. Very, very loud.

Image source, Reuters

Femi: Pressure on France to do the job, but I think Croatia fancy their chances.

Andrew: I wonder if France will play with the same fear that crippled them against Portugal in the Euro 2016 final.

Si: We do have Mbappe v Modric but this isn’t a Cult Of The Individual final on the level of Ronaldo v Neymar. Instead, two very talented teams with something to prove. And I’m grateful.

France get us going with a classic.

La Marseillaise was written and composed by army officer Claude Joseph Rouget de in April 1792 during the French Revolution. Originally titled Battle Hymn for the Army of the Rhine, it became known as La Marseillaise because it was first sung on the streets by French National Guard volunteers from Marseille upon their arrival in Paris. It became the national anthem in July 1795 but lost its status under various rulers before being reinstated in 1879.

Is it the best sporting national anthem? Up there with Italy surely...

Image source, Getty Images

HERE WE GO! The teams come out, walking past the trophy - don't touch it - and out to the middle.

If you're a footballer it does not get any bigger than this.

Jurgen Klinsmann
Former Germany head coach on BBC One

Benjamin Pavard is going to be one of the keys because he will have Ivan Perisic against him. The only fear I have is that with Perisic, with his nastiness and drive, that will make it really miserable for Pavard. The right flank for France will be key.

I could imagine that Croatia will surprise us today.

Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One

I fancy France just, I think the midfield battle will be key as it's full of experience but on the counter-attack they will be too much of a threat with their pace.

Alan Shearer
Former England captain on BBC Radio 5 live

Benjamin Pavard and Thomas Meunier have been the best right-backs in the tournament. First and foremost you have to defend, but the modern day full-back has to attack as well. He has got bags of pace to get in and cover, and what a way to get your first goal in style against Argentina. It could well be the goal of the tournament. He is willing to get forward and to play and he has it all.

Image source, Reuters

Customised earrings for the big game...