The second World Cup semi-final is here and we are about to see reigning champions France take on the history-making Morocco in what could turn out to be another chess-like battle on the pitch.
With a place in Sunday’s final at stake, here is everything you need to know about Wednesday night's action.
France v Morocco - Semi-Final
Where: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
When: 7pm (GMT) / 10pm (AST)
TV: BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website
Last meeting: France 2-2 Morocco (Paris, 2007)
France’s knockout results: Won 3-1 v Poland, Won 2-1 v England
Morocco’s knockout results: Won 3-0 on penalties v Spain, Won 1-0 v Portugal
France squad: 1 Hugo Lloris, 2 Benjamin Pavard, 3 Axel Disasi, 4 Raphael Varane, 5 Jules Kounde, 6 Matteo Guendouzi, 7 Antoine Griezmann, 8 Aurelien Tchouameni, 9 Olivier Giroud, 10 Kylian Mbappe, 11 Ousmane Dembele, 12 Randal Kolo Muani, 13 Youssouf Fofana, 14 Adrien Rabiot, 15 Jordan Veretout, 16 Steve Mandanda, 17 William Saliba, 18 Dayot Upamecano, 20 Kingsley Coman, 21 Lucas Hernandez, 22 Theo Hernandez, 23 Alphonse Areola, 24 Ibrahima Konate, 25 Eduardo Camavinga, 26 Marcus Thuram
Morocco squad: 1 Yassine Bounou, 2 Achraf Hakimi, 3 Noussair Mazraoui, 4 Sofyan Amrabat, 5 Nayef Aguerd, 6 Romain Saiss, 7 Hakim Ziyech, 8 Azzedine Ounahi, 9 Abderrazak Hamdallah, 10 Anass Zaroury, 11 Abdelhamid Sabiri, 12 Munir Mohamedi, 13 Ilias Chair, 14 Zakaria Aboukhlal, 15 Selim Amallah, 16 Abde Ezzalzouli, 17 Sofiane Boufal, 18 Jawad El Yamiq, 19 Youssef En-Nesyri, 20 Achraf Dari, 21 Walid Cheddira, 22 Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, 23 Bilal El Khannous, 24 Badr Benoun, 25 Yahia Attiyat Allah, 26 Yahya Jabrane
Preview: Despite having lost a lot of key players through injury ahead of and during the World Cup, France still boast one of the strongest squads in the tournament and you wouldn’t know that they were missing quite a few big names. Fine margins decided their victory over England in the quarter-finals, with Antoine Griezmann being Les Bleus’ shining star once again as the midfield maestro who gets them ticking.
Kylian Mbappe is the tournament’s leading marksman with five goals and while he was kept quiet by the Three Lions, he is still a great threat to Morocco. As is towering forward Olivier Giroud who was the hero of the hour last time out.
Morocco have been defensively superb in Qatar. The only goal they have conceded so far was an own goal against Canada. They have kept four clean sheets in Qatar and continue to amaze us as they make more history. There is no denying that facing the reigning champions will be their toughest test yet but people said the same thing when they played Spain and Portugal. They have been remarkable and you will once again find it difficult to bet against the Atlas Lions.
They have plenty of talented individuals in their ranks. Hakim Ziyech has looked like the player who excelled at Ajax while midfield engine Sofyan Amrabat has been one of the best players in the entire tournament. This could be an excellent encounter.
Sportsman stat: Morocco are yet to concede a goal from an opposition player at the World Cup. The only goal they conceded came from an own goal against Canada in the group stage. They have kept four clean sheets and the only teams in history to record five and go on to win the tournament were Italy in 2006 and Spain in 2010.
Betfred match odds: France 8/15, Morocco 13/2, draw 3/1
Favourites for first goalscorer: Kylian Mbappe (France) 11/4, Olivier Giroud (France) 4/1, Antoine Griezmann (France) 11/2
Featured bet: Over 2.5 goals - 6/5
To qualify for the final: France 1/5, Morocco 10/3
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
