Last time out, Germany overcame England in an epic match, possibly the greatest DWC match of all time.
They will face the winner of today's semi final, France vs Brazil. The first semi was a repeat of the 1966 real-life World Cup final, and this semi is a repeat of the 1998 one. This is a chance for Brazil to make it two successive DWC finals, whilst France have progressed beyond the quarters for the first time.
France were the only side to qualify with a perfect record. However, a loss to China in the group stage left them in a slightly tricky position, but they ultimately qualified in style. In the knockout rounds they have notched two 4-1 victories. The first, against Canada, was very good, but it was their triumph over Italy that caught the eye.
Brazil, meanwhile, won the notorious South American qualifying section. In the group stage they won a tricky group, and had an easy victory against Algeria in the second round. Then then faced surprise quarter-finalists Wales, and had to soak up a lot of pressure to win 4-2. With both teams scoring four times in each knockout game, there should be some fireworks here today.
Team news
With no injuries or suspensions, and all eleven players in top form, France unsurprisingly name an unchanged side.
Brazil have left-back Zeca back from suspension, but are instead missing Fágner for the same reason. This means the brilliantly-named Yago Pikachu starts. With both he and Zeca very naturally attacking full-backs, Rodrigo Dourado is brought in as a holding midfielder to protect the defence. Luan's cameo from the bench earns him a start, which means Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Everton miss out.
France were the only side to qualify with a perfect record. However, a loss to China in the group stage left them in a slightly tricky position, but they ultimately qualified in style. In the knockout rounds they have notched two 4-1 victories. The first, against Canada, was very good, but it was their triumph over Italy that caught the eye.
Brazil, meanwhile, won the notorious South American qualifying section. In the group stage they won a tricky group, and had an easy victory against Algeria in the second round. Then then faced surprise quarter-finalists Wales, and had to soak up a lot of pressure to win 4-2. With both teams scoring four times in each knockout game, there should be some fireworks here today.
Team news
With no injuries or suspensions, and all eleven players in top form, France unsurprisingly name an unchanged side.
Brazil have left-back Zeca back from suspension, but are instead missing Fágner for the same reason. This means the brilliantly-named Yago Pikachu starts. With both he and Zeca very naturally attacking full-backs, Rodrigo Dourado is brought in as a holding midfielder to protect the defence. Luan's cameo from the bench earns him a start, which means Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Everton miss out.
Brazil cope with early French pressure well and spring into an attack of their own. Everton Ribeiro runs beyond a couple of defenders before launching a shot over the bar.
France are completely outclassing their opponents in midfield, and should take the lead when Bernat curls a lovely cross towards Kylian Mbappé at the far post, but Tiago Volpi makes a fine block! A couple of minutes later and France have another great chance, Edinson Cavani laying it off to Nabil Fekir in the box, but he places it just wide of the left post.
France are completely outclassing their opponents in midfield, and should take the lead when Bernat curls a lovely cross towards Kylian Mbappé at the far post, but Tiago Volpi makes a fine block! A couple of minutes later and France have another great chance, Edinson Cavani laying it off to Nabil Fekir in the box, but he places it just wide of the left post.
Fifteen minutes into the game, and Brazil haven't even had a quarter of possession. Mbappé carves the Brazilian defence open with a clever pass, but Fekir's shot from the edge of the box is wide again.
Brazil ride the storm and in the 34th minute gain a free kick in a promising position. Everton Ribeiro whips it in, and it's cleared back to him. He goes for goal but it doesn't get through the sea of bodies. France clear and Yago Pikachu launches it back into the French third. Luan flicks it on, but it's cut out by Thiago Silva. He goes to play it back to Gianluigi Buffon, but he doesn't see Paolo Guerrero and he presents the Peruvian striker with an easy chance to score, which he takes! Out of nowhere, France have gifted Brazil the lead!
Brazil ride the storm and in the 34th minute gain a free kick in a promising position. Everton Ribeiro whips it in, and it's cleared back to him. He goes for goal but it doesn't get through the sea of bodies. France clear and Yago Pikachu launches it back into the French third. Luan flicks it on, but it's cut out by Thiago Silva. He goes to play it back to Gianluigi Buffon, but he doesn't see Paolo Guerrero and he presents the Peruvian striker with an easy chance to score, which he takes! Out of nowhere, France have gifted Brazil the lead!
France seem shellshocked by that aberration, and they only muster a blocked Dani Alves shot in the rest of the half.
Despite the scoreline, Brazil have continually failed to relieve pressure. Below is a map of attempted passes into the French half, and there is a particular lack of accurate medium/long passes. The service to the front three has been poor, and this increases the pressure on the defence.
Despite the scoreline, Brazil have continually failed to relieve pressure. Below is a map of attempted passes into the French half, and there is a particular lack of accurate medium/long passes. The service to the front three has been poor, and this increases the pressure on the defence.
The only change made half-time by France is that the full-backs are encouraged to push higher up. It nearly pays immediate dividends as Alves' cross is headed just wide by Cavani.
In the 53rd minute France have a throw-in high up the pitch. Bernat throws it in, and the referee blows for a penalty! It seems Dourado was holding Neymar.
It's Cavani to take the spot kick. He runs up... and scores in the bottom left corner! It's a cruel way for Brazil to concede, but France will see it as a by-product of the amount of time they were spending in the final third.
In the 53rd minute France have a throw-in high up the pitch. Bernat throws it in, and the referee blows for a penalty! It seems Dourado was holding Neymar.
It's Cavani to take the spot kick. He runs up... and scores in the bottom left corner! It's a cruel way for Brazil to concede, but France will see it as a by-product of the amount of time they were spending in the final third.
Booked and culpable for a few missed chances, Fekir is the first player subbed off, with Cesc Fabregas coming on in the hope he can pick the lock.
The game isn't as action-packed as the first half, but France remain thoroughly on top. Marco Verratti finds Cavani with a cross in the 62nd minute. It's a good header but Volpi produces a sharp save. However, the ball falls to Neymar for an easy tap-in, and France lead for the first time!
The game isn't as action-packed as the first half, but France remain thoroughly on top. Marco Verratti finds Cavani with a cross in the 62nd minute. It's a good header but Volpi produces a sharp save. However, the ball falls to Neymar for an easy tap-in, and France lead for the first time!
Can Brazil get themselves off the canvas and back into this game? They kick off, and work it out wide to Everton Ribeiro. He cuts inside and runs purposefully at the French defence. They don't appear to be fully concentrating, and he can slip it through to Guerrero. He's one-on-one with Buffon, and blasts it home for an immediate equaliser just 27 seconds after he kicked off!
FYI, that's Guerrero's seventh goal of the tournament, which puts him level with Robert Lewandowski for the golden boot - but crucially Guerrero has played fewer games.
Once again, France seem to lose their way a bit after conceding, and Carlos Sánchez sees a decent chance blocked. In the 74th minute Neymar has a good chance to put France back ahead, but his header is poor and easy for Volpi to hold.
Going into the final part of the game, Brazil replace Sánchez and Luan with Hernanes and Everton. The latter has a sight of goal after Marquinhos' clearance from a corner is straight to him, but Mbappé is quickly over to block the shot.
It has been quite a quiet spell for France's attack. But out of nowhere Mbappé bursts down the right and fires in a cross to Cavani on the six-yard line. It's too good a chance to miss, and he promptly puts it away to give France the lead with 6 minutes of normal time remaining!
Once again, France seem to lose their way a bit after conceding, and Carlos Sánchez sees a decent chance blocked. In the 74th minute Neymar has a good chance to put France back ahead, but his header is poor and easy for Volpi to hold.
Going into the final part of the game, Brazil replace Sánchez and Luan with Hernanes and Everton. The latter has a sight of goal after Marquinhos' clearance from a corner is straight to him, but Mbappé is quickly over to block the shot.
It has been quite a quiet spell for France's attack. But out of nowhere Mbappé bursts down the right and fires in a cross to Cavani on the six-yard line. It's too good a chance to miss, and he promptly puts it away to give France the lead with 6 minutes of normal time remaining!
Brazil respond by bringing on de Arrascaeta for Dourado. They look to attack France, but they still need to cope with their opponents' world class forwards. In the 90th minute Neymar plays in Cavani to finish it, but Zeca makes a brilliant tackle. Unfortunately, it comes back to Neymar, who advances on goal. Volpi does well to save his initial shot, but the rebound falls back to Neymar and he puts it away to surely seal the victory!
France help run down the clock with late substitutions (Luis Gustavo and Presnel Kimpembe for Adrien Rabiot and Alves), and they see it out to secure victory!
Final score: France 4-2 Brazil
Player of the match: Edinson Cavani
It's hard to argue with the result, but you also have to feel a bit for Brazil, who gave it their all and seemed to concede when they weren't actually under pressure. France, meanwhile, notch four in a game yet again, and go forward into the first all-European DWC final.
As mentioned, Brazil had to put in a huge defensive effort to stay afloat in this game, and they just fell short. The number of defensive actions they had to do in the critical area around their 6-yard line shows how hard France pushed them.
Final score: France 4-2 Brazil
Player of the match: Edinson Cavani
It's hard to argue with the result, but you also have to feel a bit for Brazil, who gave it their all and seemed to concede when they weren't actually under pressure. France, meanwhile, notch four in a game yet again, and go forward into the first all-European DWC final.
As mentioned, Brazil had to put in a huge defensive effort to stay afloat in this game, and they just fell short. The number of defensive actions they had to do in the critical area around their 6-yard line shows how hard France pushed them.
All of a sudden, we are down to two sides left in this year's DWC! Germany will take on France in the final. Next time, though, it's everybody's favourite match - the third-place play-off! England and Brazil will compete for... pride?