Our first semi final may not have had any goals, but it had some serious drama, as underdogs Argentina held out against Spain for 120 minutes - over half of which they were with 10 men - and triumphed on penalties to become the third South American side to make the Draft World Cup final:
But who will they face in the final? It will be one of today's competitors, Italy and France. When the bracket for the knockout round was completed, we should have known that these two would come through, because they have met in every previous DWC knockout round. In 2017 Italy won in extra time thanks to a Ricardo Montolivo strike that won Goal of the Tournament. The year after Italy stepped it up with an easy 3-0 win. But last year France got their revenge by winning 4-1.
Based on their fantastic performances in the knockout rounds so far this tournament, last year's runners-up France probably go in as favourites. They beat Netherlands 5-0 in the quarter finals, but their confident win over England was probably more impressive. Italy have been at this stage twice before, and both times have been denied by South American opposition - by Uruguay in 2017 and Brazil in 2018.
Team news
Alex Sandro is suspended, so Theo Hernández comes in as the left wing back for Italy. They also change to a 5-2-1-2 formation, with Lorenzo Insigne moving up front alongside Cristiano Ronaldo with Paulo Dybala replacing Douglas Costa. France, meanwhile, have Youcef Atal and Marco Verratti available after their suspensions, and so they come in for Thomas Meunier and Alexandr Golovin.
Based on their fantastic performances in the knockout rounds so far this tournament, last year's runners-up France probably go in as favourites. They beat Netherlands 5-0 in the quarter finals, but their confident win over England was probably more impressive. Italy have been at this stage twice before, and both times have been denied by South American opposition - by Uruguay in 2017 and Brazil in 2018.
Team news
Alex Sandro is suspended, so Theo Hernández comes in as the left wing back for Italy. They also change to a 5-2-1-2 formation, with Lorenzo Insigne moving up front alongside Cristiano Ronaldo with Paulo Dybala replacing Douglas Costa. France, meanwhile, have Youcef Atal and Marco Verratti available after their suspensions, and so they come in for Thomas Meunier and Alexandr Golovin.
Italy get the ball quickly, and Ronaldo plays a fine ball to give Juan Cuadrado space on the right, and his low cross finds Insigne, but he's quickly closed down. France's first chance comes in the 7th minute when Atal drives at Italy's defence, but his shot is blocked by Giorgio Chiellini, and Kylian Mbappé's follow-up is easily held by Samir Handanovic.
A couple of minutes later, France get a free kick on the right of the box. Dimitri Payet cleverly passes it to Thiago Silva, but again the shot is an easy one for Handanovic. Italy get a free kick of their own in the 13th minute. Miralem Pjanic's cross finds Kalidou Koulibaly. His header isn't particularly strong, but before Keylor Navas can collect Chiellini sticks out a foot and diverts it in! He's onside, and Italy lead! Finally, a goal in this year's DWC semi finals.
A couple of minutes later, France get a free kick on the right of the box. Dimitri Payet cleverly passes it to Thiago Silva, but again the shot is an easy one for Handanovic. Italy get a free kick of their own in the 13th minute. Miralem Pjanic's cross finds Kalidou Koulibaly. His header isn't particularly strong, but before Keylor Navas can collect Chiellini sticks out a foot and diverts it in! He's onside, and Italy lead! Finally, a goal in this year's DWC semi finals.
Italy have so far been dominating possession - they had about 65% at the point they scored, but over the next few minutes it dips to about 55%, as France try to exert some pressure. In the 22nd minute Neymar cuts inside and plays it wide to Leyvin Kurzawa. He drills a fine cross that finds Mbappé at the far post, and he sidefoots it into the bottom corner to restore parity!
France have a great chance to complete a quick turnaround with a mirror-image goal as Atal crosses for Neymar, but he can only head it at Handanovic. The Brazilian looks to make amends a second later as he dances through a couple of challenges to race into the final third, but he fires over from 25 yards.
After that strong start Italy have found themselves on the defensive, but they find a route forward when Cuadrado finds space to run into. He runs at Kurzawa who brings him down and it's an Italian penalty! We've yet to have a non-shootout penalty missed this tournament, and it's down to Ronaldo to continue that... which he does, firing low beyond Navas! Slightly against the run of play, but Italy restore their lead.
After that strong start Italy have found themselves on the defensive, but they find a route forward when Cuadrado finds space to run into. He runs at Kurzawa who brings him down and it's an Italian penalty! We've yet to have a non-shootout penalty missed this tournament, and it's down to Ronaldo to continue that... which he does, firing low beyond Navas! Slightly against the run of play, but Italy restore their lead.
After an action-packed half, we hit a quiet spell for the rest of the half. Just before the interval France have another close-range free kick. Payet's cross is headed at goal by Mbappé, Koulibaly blocks but it hits Chiellini and dribbles towards goal. It looks to be a simple tap-in for Memphis Depay but Chiellini slides in to poke it away, and it's cleared to safety! It means Italy keep their lead to half time.
That late show seals a great half for Chiellini. As well as his goal he has won 8 aerial challenges - the most of anyone - including 4 key headers and 2 others close to his own goal. He also has made the joint-most interceptions and second-most tackles in the game.
That late show seals a great half for Chiellini. As well as his goal he has won 8 aerial challenges - the most of anyone - including 4 key headers and 2 others close to his own goal. He also has made the joint-most interceptions and second-most tackles in the game.
France probably feel they have shaded the match so far, and elect to make no changes for the second half. They start the half in a manner similar to how Italy started the first, with a cross from the right back. Atal's ball finds Payet 12 yards out, and he connects well with the header but Handanovic pushes it over!
The resulting corner comes to nothing, and 4 minutes later so does an Italian one. From it, France break away. Payet sprays it wide for Kurzawa, whose powerful shot is blocked by Cuadrado. It comes to Neymar. He's not causing any problems for Italy, as he travels out wide to the left, but it doesn't stop Cuadrado clattering into him and conceding a penalty! Neymar has the chance to cancel out Ronaldo's spot kick with his own. He scored from 12 yards against Netherlands... but this time he's denied by Handanovic! It's a brilliant diving save and Italy stay ahead!
The resulting corner comes to nothing, and 4 minutes later so does an Italian one. From it, France break away. Payet sprays it wide for Kurzawa, whose powerful shot is blocked by Cuadrado. It comes to Neymar. He's not causing any problems for Italy, as he travels out wide to the left, but it doesn't stop Cuadrado clattering into him and conceding a penalty! Neymar has the chance to cancel out Ronaldo's spot kick with his own. He scored from 12 yards against Netherlands... but this time he's denied by Handanovic! It's a brilliant diving save and Italy stay ahead!
France keep up the pressure. In the 58th minute they get a corner and Payet - whose set piece delivery has been superb - delivers it to the far post, where Depay rises highest to meet it, and his header beats Handanovic! France are deservedly level, it's 2-2!
Italy need to do something, as they look ripe for the taking this half. They replace the ineffective Paulo Dybala with Douglas Costa, as they return to a 5-2-3 shape. They also take off Cuadrado for Danilo.
Ander Herrera twists his knee, and whilst he's off the pitch Italy have a corner. Despite it being aimed at Ronaldo, France are able to clear and break away. Depay beats Hernández and switches it to Neymar. He cuts it inside to the onrushing Kurzawa, and his rocket of a shot beats Handanovic at the near post! France take the lead for the first time, and they have 20 minutes left to hold out!
Ander Herrera twists his knee, and whilst he's off the pitch Italy have a corner. Despite it being aimed at Ronaldo, France are able to clear and break away. Depay beats Hernández and switches it to Neymar. He cuts it inside to the onrushing Kurzawa, and his rocket of a shot beats Handanovic at the near post! France take the lead for the first time, and they have 20 minutes left to hold out!
Italy haven't really created any chances of note all half, and they continue to struggle as France inch closer to the final. They replace Leonardo Bonucci with Christian Eriksen and copy France's 4-2-3-1 formation. In the 82nd minute Italy get it forward, but Kurzawa hacks it clear. It looks to be going out of play, but somehow it stays in, which seems to catch Koulibaly out, as he loses it to Neymar. He plays it for Depay to run through one-on-one, but he can't get it past Handanovic!
Italy continue to offer nothing as we enter stoppage time. Neymar could kill the game off, but his muted performance continues with a soft shot from Kurzawa's cross. Right at the death France continue to attack, and Verratti's powerful shot forces Handanovic into yet another fine save. It's basically the last action of the match, and France are through! They become the first team to make two finals in a row, whilst Italy fall at the semi final stage yet again!
Final score: Italy 2-3 France
Player of the match: Leyvin Kurzawa
Italy were pretty atrocious in the second half. Below is their pass map for the half, note the complete lack of passes in & around the box, with only one pass attempted in France's area.
Italy continue to offer nothing as we enter stoppage time. Neymar could kill the game off, but his muted performance continues with a soft shot from Kurzawa's cross. Right at the death France continue to attack, and Verratti's powerful shot forces Handanovic into yet another fine save. It's basically the last action of the match, and France are through! They become the first team to make two finals in a row, whilst Italy fall at the semi final stage yet again!
Final score: Italy 2-3 France
Player of the match: Leyvin Kurzawa
Italy were pretty atrocious in the second half. Below is their pass map for the half, note the complete lack of passes in & around the box, with only one pass attempted in France's area.
So, it's France who go through to face Argentina in the final. They'll go in as hot favourites after yet another impressive display. But they are taking on an opponent who defeated them well in the group stage, as they did in 2018.
Italy have to make do with a clash with Spain in the third-place play-off, which will be our next episode.
Italy have to make do with a clash with Spain in the third-place play-off, which will be our next episode.