Croatia are yet to beat France in their five previous meeting, having lost three and drawn two.
In the only previous World Cup fixture between them, Lilian Thuram inspired France to fight from a goal down to beat Croatia in the semis of the 1998 Mundial in what happens to be the defender’s only two goals for the Allez Les Blues in 142 caps.
They also drew two all in the 2004 Euros
The only meeting since then was a goalless draw in a friendly at the Stade de France in March 2011.
Croatia have reached their first ever final in a competitive tournament, making the 13 nation to do that, while, he French are the sixth nation to reach three or more World Cup finals, following in the footsteps of Germany (eight), Brazil and Italy (both six), Argentina (five) and the Netherlands (three).
This will be France's sixth final at a major tournament (including three at the European Championship). They have won three of the previous five, whereas the previous two first-time finalists both won the tournament (France in 1998 and Spain in 2010).
The Croats have played extra time in their last three matches and could become the first team in World Cup history to play extra time in four matches at a single tournament.
Three of France's four goals in World Cup finals have come from set-pieces (two from corners, one from a penalty), whereas, Four of the five goals Croatia have conceded in Russia have come from set-pieces. They've conceded from a penalty, a throw-in, an indirect free-kick and a direct free-kick.
Three of France's five goalscorers at this World Cup have been defenders (Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti). The last time three French defenders scored at a World Cup was in 1998, when they lifted the trophy.
Croatia are the first team to have reached the World Cup final despite trailing in all three of their knockout games.
Excluding shootouts, France have lost just one of their last 14 knockout games at the World Cup (W11, D2). That defeat was their 1-0 loss to Germany in the 2014 quarter-finals.
Didier Deschamps is looking to become the third man to win the World Cup as a player and as head coach, after Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer. He's won 73% of his games at the World Cup (eight out of 11).
France have trailed for just nine minutes and 12 seconds at this World Cup, while Croatia have been behind in all three of their knockout matches.
None of Olivier Giroud's 13 shots at this World Cup have been on target. Since 1966, no player has had more attempts at a World Cup without directing at least one on target.
Kylian Mbappe could become only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final, after Pele. His tally of three goals already makes him the highest scoring teen since Pele netted six in 1958.
Luka Modric has created 16 chances at this World Cup, twice as many as any of his team-mates, while, Antoine Griezmann has scored or assisted 11 goals in nine knockout games at major tournaments (World Cup and European Championship). That is more than any other French player in the last 50 years, ahead of Zinedine Zidane (eight) and Michel Platini (six).
Croatia have conceded more fouls (99) and received more yellow cards (14) than any other side at this World Cup.
Croatia have scored 12 goals and have had eight different goalscorers (excluding own goals) - only Belgium boast higher figures (14 goals and nine goalscorers, prior to the third-place play-off).
Antoine Griezmann has scored or assisted 11 goals in nine knockout games at major tournaments (World Cup and European Championship). That is more than any other French player in the last 50 years, ahead of Zinedine Zidane (eight) and Michel Platini (six).
The Croats have played extra time in their last three matches and could become the first team in World Cup history to play extra time in four matches at a single tournament.