Not since the 1998 showdown between Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo has a World Cup final promised such a heavyweight clash.
The only two teams to beat the Socceroos in Qatar,France and Argentina,will meet in Monday’s final,repeating a little quirk of history that has followed Australia through each of their six World Cup campaigns.
Randal Kolo Muani doubled France’s lead after Les Bleus got off to a dream start in the second semi-final through defender Theo Hernandez.
France and Kylian Mbappe are headed back to the World Cup final for a much-anticipated match-up with Lionel Messi after ending Morocco’s historic run at soccer’s biggest tournament.
The Paris Saint-Germain teammates stand in one another’s way as they endeavour to carry their respective nations to glory in Wednesday’s second semi-final.
Morocco’s surprise string of wins at the World Cup in Qatar have stirred a joy and pride among Arab fans that have,at least for a moment,eclipsed the region’s many political divisions.
World Cup quarter-final LIVE:England v France
Once again England have fallen short as they exited the World Cup in a simply agonising quarter-final loss. But this time,against the world champions France,it felt very different.
In an otherwise even match-up,Kylian Mbappe looms as the difference-maker and England’s Kyle Walker perhaps one of the few men on the planet capable of stopping him.
Australia’s dream run in Qatar may have come to an end,but that doesn’t mean you can’t hitch a ride on a different bandwagon.
Olivier Giroud passed Thierry Henry’s record to become France’s all-time top scorer. How long before Mbappe claims the record for himself?