The match, pitting 1998 champions France against first-time finalists Croatia, will take place in Moscow on Monday morning AEST.

“I think it’s a very interesting final. Croatia has good players. I think they’re strong especially because they are a fighting team, they are fighting together till the end. I think spirit-wise they are very strong,” van Basten told journalists.

The 1988 European champion also praised Croatia captain Luka Modric, who is "reading the game" and "guiding his team" at the World Cup.

"I think having a player like him in a team brings you far. And I think a country like Croatia (coming) so close is really something special," van Basten added.

He also said that France "has a lot of good players" and it's "merely logical that they went so far in the tournament."