🏆 David meets Goliath in second semi after Messi books final spot | OneFootball

Argentina are World Cup finalists but who will be joining them in Sunday’s World Cup showpiece?

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OK, what was your best moment from yesterday?

It has to be that Lionel Messi assist.

The game felt over at 2-0 but it hasn’t been a safe scoreline for Argentina in recent weeks, with Australia giving them a fright late on and the Netherlands turning things around.

Messi wasn’t going to allow that to happen again and his solo-run rolled back the clock and twisted Josko Gvardiol inside out. Just mesmerising.

Do you have a memorable photo?

Buenos Aires was packed with fans and it will only be busier on Sunday.

Got any interesting stats or facts?

Argentina have still won all of their World Cup semi-finals, six of six, but just two of their five finals to date. Only Germany (eight) have played in more than six World Cup finals.

Amazingly, Messi’s 16 Argentina goals in 2022 is more than he’s ever scored in any other calendar year for the Albiceleste.

And if I need a laugh, what happened that’ll tickle me?

Heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, Brazilian wonderkid Endrick tweeted that Messi “is unreal, an alien” only to delete the tweet when Madrid fans responded in their droves.

So, I’m free today, what can I not afford to miss?

The other semi-final, of course.

How have the sides reached it to this stage?

France’s five games so far have seen four wins and one defeat, but that came with a heavily rotated side against Tunisia when they had already sealed top spot in the group.

Kylian Mbappé is the tournament’s joint-top scorer with five goals, Olivier Giroud is in top form, Antoine Griezmann has been brilliant in a deeper midfield role, and France had a little luck as well as they made their way past England last time out.

As for Morocco, they have conceded just once — an own goal against Canada — all tournament, keeping clean sheets in wins over Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

Clearly they are capable of an upset but they will hope defenders Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd are fit as they chase another.

Whose side is history on?

France and the holders and have won their last three World Cup semis having lost each of the previous three.

As for Morocco, there is no precedent. History has already been made as they have become the first African side to make it this far.

And lastly, have you got a player to watch?

Griezmann is yet to score in Qatar but has shone in midfield for the world champions and his reinvention has him one game away from a second successive final.