If this sporting clash was, as English essayist, novelist and journalist George Orwell said, "war minus the shooting" both sets of players were more than ready, and set about each other with little restraint.
France will be bidding to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the title.
'We have to look at the whole team, not just one player. If we play together, and stay compact we can do well. I would not target a single player.'
IMAGES from the Champions League matches played on Tuesday.
An underwhelming Chelsea boosted their chances of a spot in next season's Champions League, overcoming a slow start to beat relegated Norwich City 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. Olivier Giroud scored with virtually the last touch of the first half as Chelsea consolidated third place in the Premier League and moved four points above Leicester City and Manchester United in the battle for a top-four finish.
As England tightened their grip on Euro 2024 qualifying and France maintained their perfect run, hosts Germany's troubles deepened.
While he only made one late substitution in the 2-1 victory over England, Deschamps used the bench more against Morocco.
The victory saw Spain finish top of League A4 with 11 points after six games, joining France in the final four tournament, which will take place in October 2021.
"Nobody likes to be exposed to what you're not good at, you just don't like it. But there is something that is bigger than anything else and that is the club," Henry said on CBS Sports on Tuesday.
A round-up of Wednesday's action in the UEFA Champions League.
France are looking to beat the Socceroos just like they did to kick off their 2018 journey in Russia.
Griezmann thankful for thankless role in France side
Barcelona extended their LaLiga lead to eight points thanks to second-half goals by Jordi Alba, Gavi and Raphinha that gave them a 3-0 home win against Sevilla
The French in 2002, Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014 and Germany in 2018 all followed their stuttering starts as champions by bombing out in the group stage.
Argentine, somehow, were ready for an emotional, nail-biting encounter, having already gone through a dress rehearsal in the same stadium against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
IMAGES from Champions League matches played on Tuesday.
Argentina dominated the opening stages and earned the penalty when Di Maria was fouled by Ousmane Dembele, with Messi sending France keeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way to move to the top of the goalscoring charts in Qatar.
Lewandowski huffed and puffed, but he cut a lonely and frustrated figure
Barcelona clinched a 1-0 away win at Atletico Madrid, while AS Roma held AC Milan to a 2-2 draw.
A flash of attacking brilliance from Olivier Giroud and an emphatic header from substitute Alvaro Morata earned Chelsea a 2-0 win over struggling Southampton
New France captain Kylian Mbappe lived up to expectations with two goals in a 4-0 statement home win against the Netherlands.
Kingsley Coman came back to haunt Paris St Germain again as he earned Bayern Munich a 1-0 win in their Champions League last-16 first leg in Paris on Tuesday.
Portugal had to settle for a 0-0 draw at home to Spain in a heavyweight friendly on Wednesday after hammering the crossbar twice and missing a last-gasp open goal.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United enjoyed comfortable wins in the English Premier League on Saturday as fans returned to stadiums after an eight-month absence.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was delighted with the discipline of his team, who ended United's 19-game unbeaten run.
Brazil are pre-tournament favourites to win a record-extending sixth title.
The Qatar World Cup has delivered a rich feast of soccer for the past month
Eden Hazard scored twice and created a third to steer Chelsea to a 4-1 victory over London rivals Arsenal in the Europa League final in what looks likely to be the Belgium winger's final game for the Blues.
Barcelona wasted a golden opportunity to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga as they were shocked 1-0 at lowly Almeria on Sunday thanks to a first-half strike by El Bilal Toure.
Deschamps said Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was called up as a late replacement for Pogba.
Mbappe becomes PSG's all-time highest goal-scorer as French champions extend lead
Gabriel Jesus came off the bench to secure Manchester City a 1-0 English Premier League victory at Leicester City after yet another penalty miss by Pep Guardiola's side on Saturday. Chelsea's Olivier Giroud and Marcos Alonso returned to the starting lineup to stunning effect by grabbing a goal apiece in a crucial 2-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur in the battle between the London rivals for fourth place.
IMAGES from the EPL matches played on Sunday.
The FIFA World Cup knock-out phase kicks-off on Saturday in Qatar. Here's an overview of the teams advancing to the last 16.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
The race for Golden Boot award at the 2016 Euro Championship heats up with French players occupying the top three spots ahead of the semi-final round. France forward Antoine Griezmann leads the way in the race followed by his teammates Olivier Giroud and Dimitri Payet.
Manchester United stretched their winless Premier League streak to four games after their manager Jose Mourinho and midfielder Ander Herrera were sent off in a 0-0 home draw with Burnley on Saturday.
A round-up of Tuesday's action in the UEFA Champions League.
Headed goals from Anthony Martial and captain Harry Maguire earned Manchester United a hard-fought 2-0 win at toothless Chelsea on Monday amid more VAR controversy, putting them back in the hunt for a top-four Premier League finish. The VAR system made the headlines once again after two Chelsea efforts were ruled out and England international Maguire escaped sanction for a kick out at Michy Batshuayi.
After scoring twice in Chelsea's 4-1 win over Arsenal in the Europa League final, Eden Hazard said it was the moment to call time on his magnificent career with the London club to seek new challenges.
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