Croatia

Key points:

• Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic scored for Croatia
• Their coach said Saturday's bronze-medal game was the tournament highlight
• Morocco was the first African or Arabic team to reach the last four at a World Cup

Croatia, who were runners-up in 2018, prevailed with goals by Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic to end their World Cup on a high as Luka Modric possibly bid farewell to the soccer extravaganza.

• Lionel Messi thumped home penalty for Argentina lead
• Julian Alvarez struck either side of half-time to wrap-up comprehensive victory
• South Americans will target third World Cup in final on Sunday

Argentina 3-0 Croatia

Goals: Argentina: Messi (34 pen), Alvarez (39, 69)

Match review

Following a tournament packed with thrills and drama, the final at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium lived up to what preceded it from the moment Les Bleus hit the front through an 18th-minute own goal by Mario Mandzukic – a cruel role reversal for Croatia's extra-time hero in the semi-final win over England.

Zlatko Dalic's side had started the stronger and levelled through a fine Ivan Perisic strike before the Inter player was harshly adjudged to have handled in the box, as VAR made its first impact upon a World Cup final.

Kieran Trippier and Ivan Perisic scored in regular time, before the Juventus forward lost his marker in the 109th minute to net the winner and his second goal of the tournament.

The win puts Croatia into the decider against France on Sunday and Mandzukic, 32, said his country showed great courage in the come-from-behind win.

"This is a miracle. Only great teams can be as brave as we were and fight back from a goal down against teams like England. We've played our hearts out throughout the tournament," he said.

England made an electric start with Kieran Trippier's early goal and for a large period of the game looked good value to book their passage to the final for the first time since 1966, but Croatia somehow battled through their apparent jadedness to tame the Three Lions, Mandzukic landing the decisive blow.

Gareth Southgate consistently downplayed the euphoria in his team in the build-up, and for a while England gave every indication they were going to take charge of their own destiny, as Trippier found the net with a delightful free-kick in the fifth minute.

Four nations remain in contention in Russia, all European, with a legitimate shot at lifting the trophy in Moscow on July 15.

Pre-tournament FIFA, a 3rd ranked Belgium will take on a 7th placed France this Wednesday July 11.

France followed up a thrilling victory over Argentina in the round of 16 with their most convincing outing of the World Cup with Friday’s 2-0 win over Uruguay.

And while Friday wasn’t Brazil’s day, Belgium shouldn’t expect the same rust from France.

Having slotted home the winning kick against Denmark in the last 16, Rakitic held his nerve to convert from the spot, with Mario Fernandes going from hero to villain by missing from 12 yards after his 115th-minute header had made it 2-2 deep into extra time.

After ending Russia's impressive run, Zlatko Dalic's side will aim to at least go one better than the famous 1998 vintage, who finished third in France, when they meet England at the Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday.

Like every other World Cup host city, a large amount of tickets have been sold to local fans. And, just like every other World Cup host city, most of those supporters were still out on the streets, celebrating Russia's penalty shoot-out win over Spain, when Sunday's late game got underway.

Given the spectacle on offer, they will have plenty of reason to keep the party going.

Jorge Sampaoli's side produced an abysmal second-half display that severely damages their hopes of following Croatia out of Group D, with Caballero's stray pass to Gabriel Mercado that was volleyed home by Rebic in the 53rd minute proving the turning point.

Any hopes of a late Argentina fightback were extinguished 10 minutes from time as the irrepressible Luka Modric whipped a fine strike into the bottom-right corner from just outside the penalty area.

Britain finished top of Pool C to earn a play-off against Pool B winners Croatia on Saturday after wins for Johanna Konta and Heather Watson secured victory over Turkey.

Konta had to fight back from a set down to beat Cagla Buyukakcay 5-7 6-4 6-3 while Watson thrashed Ipek Soylu 6-0 6-1, while in the dead rubber, Laura Robson and Jocelyn Rae beat Ayla Aksu and Pemra Ozgen 6-2 6-2 in the doubles to complete a comfortable 3-0 triumph.