World Cup: Build-up to third-place play-off & final countdown

1. Build-up to Croatia v Morocco in third-place play-off at 15:00 GMT
2. Watch the game live on BBC One & BBC iPlayer
3. Latest news ahead of Sunday's final between Argentina v France
4. Get Involved: #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate), or text your comments via WhatsApp on 03301231826

'No diving, no penalties'

Bleu: I hope the better team on the day wins. No dives, no penalty or free kick goal. Hoping for class and quality.

'Sick France camp in chaos'

A sickness bug is sweeping the France camp. Not ideal when you are looking to become only the third nation to win back-to-back World Cups, after Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962).

Read more: Ill France players 'staying in their rooms'.

Daily Telegraph

Get Involved - does third place play-off need to go?

I really do think that these third/fourth place playoffs need to go, it’s the equivalent of every kid at sports day getting a medal for just taking park because “everyone is a winner”, irrelevant of where they finish.

Anon (remember to include your name on any messages please)

How Deschamps led France to glory

BBC Sport hears the inside story of how Didier Deschamps negotiated a potentially volatile situation within his squad as he led France to World Cup glory in 2018.

Didier Deschamps: How France manager expertly led his team to World Cup glory in 2018

Get Involved

Maverick: Didier Deschamps is a great manager as he was a player. With several of his top stars out injured he has guided France to the WC final. It's a terrific achievement by any standards. Hope they go on to win it.

Argentina-France is more than just Messi against Mbappe, right?

The two Paris St-Germain team-mates feature on the back page of Saturday's Daily Mirror.

Daily Mirror

Sutton's prediction - 'France to win'

BBC Sport

I have got a soft spot for Argentina, and not just because of Lionel Messi, but with regards to my prediction, I am going to say France will win because I have backed them since before this World Cup started.

In terms of how they will win it, I would love to say this will be a final for the purist where there is beautiful football from both sides, but I suspect it will actually be a stop-start game, decided by moments of individual brilliance.

We could see some dark arts from both sides because France are not afraid of a physical battle and, if Argentina do lose, they won't go quietly.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

'Everyone wants Messi to lift the World Cup'

BBC Radio 5 Live

Francisco Canepa, ESPN journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I was there in 2014 when Argentina last made the final but this feels completely different. It is a different Messi - this is his last chance.

"A lot of people around the world are watching and wishing Messi to lift the World Cup. That energy is felt on the pitch too. I hope that everything ends happily for us."

'The final frontier'

Everyone got their handkerchiefs ready?

Whatever the result on Sunday, Lionel Messi will be making his final World Cup appearance.

Will it end in glorious victory?

Times

'Not the best ever'

Jason Burt

Telegraph journalist on Match of the Day 2 Extra

I don't think anyone thinks it has been the best World Cup ever, except for Gianni Infantino.

But it has been a very good World Cup, as you'd expect.

On the television and radio, it's been great. On the ground it has been much more challenging. The suitability of Qatar and effectively a one-city World Cup has again proved questionable.

The impact has been huge, the financial cost massive and then the human rights and tolerance issues have also been challenging.

I believe in the World Cup. I believe it should go around the world and I have no problem at all with it being held in the Middle East. Having it in Qatar alone was a mistake.

Who'll finish third?

Before Sunday's showpiece, Croatia take on Morocco (15:00 GMT) in the third place play-off later today.

Will both managers field their strongest teams or will it be an opportunity to give some of the fringe players some minutes?

Over the next few hours we'll have build up to that match, news conferences from both the France and Argentina camps, plus we'll be reflecting on the past four weeks.

Let's go...

Rex Features

Rex Features

Get Involved - your favourite moments

After almost four weeks of action the World Cup is just two games away from finishing.

There have been moments that take your breath away and shocks that will live long in the memory.

But, what has been your favourite moment of this World Cup?

It could be a game, a goal or a certain memory that is sticking in your mind.

Let us know by tweeting #bbcfootball, texting 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply) or WhatsApp us on 03301231826.

Going for gold

Getty Images

Buenos dias. Bonjour. Hello.

Wherever you are joining us from around the globe, happy World Cup final weekend!

After four weeks of drama, controversy, colour and excitement, we are close to discovering the winners of Qatar 2022.

Is the solid gold World Cup trophy going back to France - or heading to Argentina for the first time since 1986?

Ho! Ho! Ho! World Cup final weekend is here

Eight days before Christmas and still the World Cup rumbles on.

Getty Images

Santa is getting ready to load his sleigh with goodies, including a fair few Messi and Mbappe shirts.

Reuters

But who is about to receive the greatest prize of all? Will it be Argentina or France?

PA Media