It is a final very few people could have anticipated four weeks ago, when the competition in Russia was just beginning.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have all gone home. So have the traditional powers of the international game -- Germany, Brazil and Argentina.

Instead it is a gifted French side with the second-youngest squad at the tournament, embodied by the lightning-quick Mbappe, who face a Croatian team inspired by Luka Modric, arguably the finest midfielder in the world at the moment.

Perhaps many neutrals will be disappointed that it has not come down to a clash between two genuine giants of the game, or that there is no South American presence.

It is just the second time that none of Brazil, Germany, Italy or Argentina have made the final, after Spain's win over the Netherlands in 2010.

Saudi Arabia’s return to the global stage was an eagerly anticipated one after 12 years away from the lights. An opening day date with the hosts Russia only added to the excitement about the Green Falcons’ campaign.

Three matches and three points later, Saudi could not replicate their 1994 achievement of reaching the second round, but there were plenty of positives to ponder as they prepare for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in neighbouring UAE.

Our five-man panel had shared their pre-tournament thoughts on their countries’ chances and how they saw things potentially playing out. Now they reflect on those performances and look ahead to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

The Panel members are Sebastian Hasset from Australia, Pejman Rahbar from IR Iran, Etsuko Motokawa from Japan, Seo Ho-jung from Korea Republic and Atef Nahass from Saudi Arabia.

The Juventus forward netted in the 109th minute to complete a remarkable comeback from a shattered Croatian team and take the small nation of little more than four million people into the FIFA World Cup final for the first time in their short history.

Kieran Trippier's magnificent early free-kick had seemingly set England on course to reach their first final since they lifted the trophy on home soil back in 1966.

But it wasn't to be, as Croatia came roaring back in the second half and equalised through Ivan Perisic before somehow finding the energy to win despite being taken to extra time for the third time in 10 days.

The biggest winners of the night could well be France, who have had an extra day's rest for Sunday's final after edging out Belgium 1-0 on Tuesday.

That will not matter too much right now for Croatia, who are the smallest nation to make it to the final since Uruguay back in 1950.

Belgium enjoyed large amounts of possession but Umtiti's goal in the 51st minute from a corner ultimately proved the difference as 1998 champions France reached their third World Cup final in 20 years.

In a World Cup replete with set-piece goals, a corner again proved decisive when Umtiti timed his run perfectly to meet Antoine Griezmann's delivery six minutes into the second half.

France will meet the winners of Wednesday's second semi-final between Croatia and England in Sunday's final.

Korea Republic's passage to the semi-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup is a milestone in the continent's history worth revisiting time and time again. Prior to their fabled run to the last four 16 years ago, Asia had never had a team gone so far at the international game's highest level, with DPR Korea's memorable 1966 quarter-final finish the best effort to date.

Heroic individual and team performances, famous victories and record breaking moments. It was all present in Russia 2018 as Japan, Korea Republic, Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia represented Asia on the world stage. We relive some of the best moments from the tournament after the Samurai Blue were the last Asian side to depart the World Cup, ending their participation at the round of 16.