A look back at the Parisians' World Cup semi-finals

Argentina - Croatia

Argentina captain and Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi was up against Luka Modric's Croatia for a place in the final of the competition. The Albiceleste were awarded a penalty shortly after the half-hour mark after the Croatian goalkeeper fouled Alvarez. Lionel Messi then converted the penalty to put Argentina ahead (1-0, 34'). The Paris Saint-Germain player became his country's all-time top scorer at the World Cup with 11 goals, overtaking Gabriel Batistuta.

Julian Alvarez then doubled his side's lead and sent his side on their way to the final a few minutes after the opener with a spectacular run through the defence (2-0, 39').

In the second half, the Croatians tried to respond but without success. Lionel Scaloni's men even scored a third goal, once again through Alvarez, who was set up by Leo Messi (3-0, 69'). The player from the club from the capital became the first player in history to be involved in 20 goals in the World Cup, with 11 goals and 9 assists! A perfect way to celebrate his team's qualification for the 5th World Cup final in their history (2 wins in 1978 and 1986, 2 defeats in 1990 and 2014).

France - morocco

In this second semi-final of the tournament, two Parisians were facing each other: on one side Kylian Mbappé with France, and on the other Achraf Hakimi with Morocco. Ironically, the two players from the club from the capital were in a battle throughout the match, as the French forward was positioned as a left winger while the Moroccan defender was in his usual position of right back.

From the off, the match turned in Didier Deschamps' men's favour: Griezmann crossed for Mbappé who saw his shot deflected into the box by Dari. The ball was then passed to Théo Hernandez who fired a left-footed half-volley past Bounou (1-0, 5'). The French came close to doubling their lead shortly after the break through Olivier Giroud. The AC Milan striker beat El-Yamiq and hit a powerful left-footed shot and saw the ball hit the post. Late in the first half, it was the Atlas Lions' defender's turn to hit Hugo Lloris' post with a superb acrobatic turn.

After a balanced second half and as the end of the match approached, Parisian forward Kylian Mbappé dribbled through the middle of the Moroccan defence before trying his luck. His shot was deflected and fell to the incoming Randal Kolo Muani who finished into an empty net (2-0, 79').

Kylian Mbappé and his teammates qualified for the final against Lionel Messi's Argentina, which will take place this Sunday at 16:00 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. Morocco, with Achraf Hakimi, will try to climb onto the podium when they take on Croatia on Saturday at 16:00 in the third-place match.

Will France manage to lift the World Cup for the second time in a row after winning it in 2018, which would be a first since Brazil in 1958 and 1962? Or will Lionel Messi win the only major trophy missing from his trophy cabinet and prevent a third consecutive World Cup final defeat for the Albiceleste? See you this Sunday for the answer...