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Argentina's Nestor Pitana to referee World Cup final

FIFA has selected Nestor Pitana to referee the World Cup final between France and Croatia on Sunday.

The Argentine referee will blow the final whistle at Luzhniki Stadium on a tournament he began there by handling the opening game, when Russia beat Saudi Arabia 5-0.

It will be the fifth game at this World Cup for Pitana, and his second working with each of France and Croatia.

Pitana handled France's 2-0 win in the quarterfinals against Uruguay, and Croatia's round-of-16 win over Denmark.

Another Argentine referee, Horacio Elizando, refereed both the opener and the final at the 2006 World Cup.

Pitana will be assisted by compatriots Hernan Maidana and Juan Belatti, with Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers acting as the fourth official.

FIFA also named Alireza Faghani of Iran as referee for the third-place game as Belgium play England in St. Petersburg on Saturday.

Italy's Massimiliano Irrati will be the video assistant referee for the final, with American Mark Geiger serving as VAR for the third-place game.