World Cup: Perisic starts the Final

Ivan Perisic is passed fit to start for Croatia in the World Cup Final against Blaise Matuidi’s France.

The trophy is decided at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow at 16.00 UK time (15.00 GMT).

France sailed through relatively untroubled to the Final and are the favourites, even if it is their first World Cup Final since losing to Italy on penalties in 2006.

Kylian Mbappé is the star name to watch in attack with Antoine Griezmann and Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi in a more advanced role.

Ivan Perisic is passed fit to start for Croatia in the World Cup Final against Blaise Matuidi’s France.

The trophy is decided at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow at 16.00 UK time (15.00 GMT).

France sailed through relatively untroubled to the Final and are the favourites, even if it is their first World Cup Final since losing to Italy on penalties in 2006.

Kylian Mbappé is the star name to watch in attack with Antoine Griezmann and Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi in a more advanced role.

They support centre-forward Olivier Giroud, while Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante are in the centre.

If Les Bleus do win, it’ll be their first triumph since 1998 – the year Mbappé was born.

Croatia are in their first ever World Cup Final and arrive packed with Serie A talent, including Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic, Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic and new Milan full-back Ivan Strinic.

The big question in the build-up was around Perisic, who scored one and assisted another in the semi-final extra time victory oer England.

Inter winger Perisic picked up a thigh injury during that game and didn’t train over the last few days, making him a huge doubt to feature in the Final.

However, he is fit to start with Inter teammate Brozovic.

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

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