Instead of the Brazil-England rematch many were expecting, the second semi-final at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ will be a step into the unknown at this tournament.
France and Portugal have never met at the FIFA World Cup, although they know each other well from tussles on the European stage, where Les Bleus reigned supreme in 2000. Having never lost to today's opponents in a major competition, the French will be hoping to continue an impressive clean sweep and take their place in the Final.
The match
Portugal - France, 21:00 (CET), Munich
After easing their way through the group stage, Portugal saw off European heavyweights Netherlands and England to reach the last four. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s talented squad seem now to have realised their considerable potential, and their success owes much to the balance struck between youth and experience, as symbolised by wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo.
For the French, that balance weighs heavily on the side of experience, but with Zinedine Zidane back to his his scintillating best and Patrick Vieira imperious in midfield, Les Bleus are approaching heights last scaled in 1998 and 2000. The old hands in Raymond Domenech's team have proved themselves up to the physical challenge, too, covering every blade of grass like fresh-faced debutants.
A repeat of the teams’ UEFA European Championship semi-final clashes in 1984 and 2000, this match ought to be a highly tactical affair between two superbly-organised national sides.
The duel
Used to lining up shoulder-to-shoulder at club level, Chelsea team-mates William Gallas and Ricardo Carvalho are both sturdy centre-halves famed for marking tightly and tackling fiercely. If France have conceded a mere two goals since the tournament began, and Portugal just one, it is in large part thanks to the defensive talents of the two Stamford Bridge regulars. Tonight, in a game that could very well swing on the minutest of details, the solidity of either side's rearguard will be of paramount importance.
The absentees
Armando Petit (POR)
Past meetings
France 2 – 1 Portugal, 25 June 2000, Brussels
Competing for a berth in the final of UEFA EURO 2000, these two old foes played out a thrilling encounter in the Belgian capital. Nuno Gomes opened the scoring for the Lusitanians early on, but Thierry Henry levelled the scores as the minutes ticked down to send he game into extra-time. With the match seemingly heading for penalties, it was a spot-kick of a different sort that separated the sides, Zinedine Zidane converting from 12 yards following Abel Xavier's handball.
The question
How much bearing will history have on this match? The Portuguese will need to break the cycle of losing to France in semi-finals, having twice succumbed at this stage in European Championships (1984 and 2000). Both those losses came after dramatic periods of extra-time as well, a fact that could weigh on Portuguese minds if the scores are tied late on. The Selecção das Quinas have also lost their last six meetings with the French, so will they be spurred on by the spirit of revenge, or will Les Bleus reinforce this seeming psychological advantage?
The figures
120: the number of caps Lilian Thuram will have won after Wednesday evening's semi-final, a French record.
21: the number of times France have taken on Portugal, with 15 wins for the French, one draw and five defeats.
8: the number of Juventus players eligible to appear in the semi-finals, two more than Chelsea's six.
Birthdays
Portuguese striker Nuno Gomes would love nothing more than to have an additional reason to celebrate as he turns 30 today. The hero of Portugal's EURO 2000 campaign, he will be hoping to come off the bench in his new role as an impact player. Also blowing out candles today is Italy's Alberto Gilardino, 24.
A FIFA World Cup blast from the past
5 July 1982, Italy 3-2 Brazil, Barcelona
Despite a lacklustre group-phase showing at Spain 1982, the Azzurri finally hit their stride in the second round. With a flair-filled Brazil side standing in their path, Paolo Rossi netted a sensational hat-trick to eliminate the team billed as true successors to the 1970 Seleção side. Goals from Socrates and Falcao were not enough to halt the Italians' progress, and a few days later they lifted the Trophy for the third time in their history.
Not a lot of people know this…
The concept of the penalty shoot-out was invented by a German, Karl Wald. After watching Italy and the USSR draw lots to decide the winner of their 1968 European Championship semi-final, the part-time referee suggested a fairer method. Whether you love it or hate it, Wald's solution certainly suits his compatriots, who have triumphed in all four of their FIFA World Cup shoot-outs.
Having a laugh
"After some discussion within the side, I was asked to get forward – but only to frighten opponents. Not to score, I can assure you." France defender Lilian Thuram appears comfortable with his goal-shy reputation.