France vs Croatia: Who will win rematch of 2018 World Cup final?

Currently, that's La France.

France are the defending champions and won't want to go out at the group stages this time. They'll have to get after this, and as I type that, Benzema shoots from the edge. But the ball's bouncing when he hits it so he has to reduce power, and Ivusic saves easily enough.

This isn't a good penalty, to the keeper's right and at saveable height; Maignan guesses right but pushes it in; he'll be disappointed with that, because once he got there he should've kept it out. Curiouser and curiouser!

He clipped Budomir's ankle as Benzema, in front of him, cleared - and here comes Modric!

Brekalo goes across to take it, goes to the near post, and when Budimir is robbed by Benzema, the ref points to the spot!

Liverpool, whose recent record at identifying talent is nothing short of a phenomenon, picked him when seeking a young centre-back, and he looks a player. He'll started the Champions League final ahead of Joel Matip, and I'm sure his plan is to cement himself as Virgil van Dijk's regular partner the second next season starts.

Off we go.

One of the mascots gives it absolutely loads during La Marseillaise which is, lyrics aside, an absolute banger. Lovely stuff.

Anthem time...

Here come the teams!

What is it with football and those black and white plimsols?

If France can get decent possession - and even if they can't - it's hard to see Croatia's back four containing Mbappe and Benzema. I don't imagine they much like the midfield that's behind them, but both are good enough to fashion their own chances - though I'm surprised Benzema's being asked to toil through another game given the season he's had.

Of course, these teams have met before...

Their Euro 96 kit is one of the all-time greats. This one is smart, but you need the red and white checks.

What an absolute boss.

A bit of news. It's an absolute disgrace what's been allowed to happen to Derby - and plenty of others before them. The government should protect all our clubs as national institutions.

In their draw with Austria, France went with Tchouameni and Kamara, then had Coman, Greizmann and Diaby in front. That looks a better balance, and they still needed a late goal, from Mbappe off the bench, to get a draw.