Mali lock horns today November 28 with France for the second semi-final game of the FIFA World Cup 2023, currently taking place in Indonesia.
The teenage Eagles of Mali are facing French teenage in the city of Surakarta. They advanced to the semifinal stage after axing Morocco 1-0 in last eight, gaining revenge for AFCON defeat. A few months ago, Moroccan side beat them in the U-17 AFCON semi-finals on 14 May of this year.
It is the first time in history that Mali advance to the semi-final stage of the FIFA U17 tournament. The tie is the first between Malian and France at the FIFA U-17 World Cup as well.
France lifted the trophy in Trinidad and Tobago in 2001.
In the second semi-final tie, Argentina take on Germany. Both sides had to prevail in pulsating continental battles against Brazil and Spain respectively to make it to the last four, with their Surakarta showdown delicately poised.