Good evening! Thank you very much much for joining Sports Mole for the second Euro 2016 semi-final as Germany and France do battle for the right to face Portugal in Sunday's final at the Stade de France. It is arguably the match of the tournament so far, pitting the world champions and host nation against each other, not to mention to two pre-tournament favourites. It promises to be a special occasion at the Stade Velodrome, so let's start our bumper two-hour build-up with a look at Germany...

It is not often that the world champions will go into a game as underdogs, but they may well be in that position tonight as they take on the entire nation of France bidding for a place in the final. France coach Didier Deschamps has labelled them the best team in the competition, and on paper that may very well be true, but they will be in front of a partisan crowd tonight and will also be taking on a very talented side. It promises to be a huge test for Joachim Low's men, but you'd have to say that if anyone can do it, it is probably the tournament specialists of Germany.

Facing the host nation is nothing new to the Germans, and all too often they actually act as party poopers on the occasion. Incredibly, they have eliminated a host nation no fewer than seven times in World Cups and European Championships, and even more amazingly, six of those times have come in semi-finals. The most recent of those is without a doubt the most memorable too as they thrashed Brazil 7-1 en route to the World Cup title two years ago - a result that remains one of the most remarkable I have ever seen in football. Worryingly for France, their record is particularly good in Euros, where they have knocked out four tournament hosts in semi-finals - Belgium in 1972, Yugoslavia in 1976, Sweden in 1992 and England in 1996.

Simply put, there is probably no nation you would like to come up against less than Germany, particularly in the semi-final of a competition as they invariably know how to get the job done. Tonight will be their record eighth European Championship semi, while they also finished in the top four in 1980 when no semi-final matches were played. They have reached at least the semi-finals of the last six major tournaments since being dumped out in the group stages of Euro 2004 although, if there is a glimmer of hope for France tonight, they have only gone on to win one of those - the World Cup two years ago.

GERMANY VS. FRANCE MEMORIES: France have been unfortunate enough to come up against Germany in the semi-finals of competitions a couple of times before, and the first of those came in the 1982 World Cup. That also provided the most memorable past meeting between the two sides, and one of the most infamous matches in World Cup history. The action on the field was enthralling as the two sides played out a 3-3 draw, taking them to the first ever penalty shootout in a World Cup. Perhaps the abiding memory, however, is the horrendous challenge from Germany goalkeeper Schumacher on France's Battiston, leaving the midfielder seriously injured. Schumacher wasn't punished for the assault, and went on to add insult to Battiston's injury by saving two penalties in the shootout.

Germany were a little slow to get going in this summer's tournament, needed a late second goal to make sure of things against Ukraine before only managing a goalless draw against Poland. They were by no means struggling compared to some of the other sides, but they seemed to lack the killer touch, and that was the case again when they took on Northern Ireland in their final group game. They created a shed load of chances, cutting Northern Ireland open at will sometimes, yet a mixture of superb goalkeeping and poor finishing ensured that they only managed a 1-0 victory. It was enough for them to top Group C, level on points with Poland, but they ended the pool stages with only three goals from their three games - the fewest out of any of the group winners.

On the flip side, they were one of only two teams to progress through the groups without conceding a goal - the other being Poland, who finished second in their group - and they once again kept a clean sheet in their last-16 clash. They also found their shooting boots a little in that match, with Boateng, Gomez and Draxler all getting on the scoresheet in a 3-0 victory that also saw Mesut Ozil miss a penalty in distinctly un-German fashion. It was their most complete performance of their campaign so far, particularly as it came against a side who shocked the world by winning 3-1 in Germany during the warm-up matches.

That took Germany into a quarter-final against fellow tournament specialists Italy, who they had never before beaten at either a World Cup or European Championships. They didn't manage it in normal time, or indeed extra time, on Saturday either, but their penalty shootout record came to the fore in the end. The match itself finished 1-1, with Ozil's opener being cancelled out by a Leonardo Bonucci penalty - the first goal Germany had conceded at the tournament. The shootout itself was a thriller as both sides were forced to take nine each, but Jonas Hector eventually scored the winner after a miss from Darmian and Germany ran out 6-5 winners to book their place in yet another semi-final by the skin of their teeth.

Manuel Neuer is still yet to concede a goal from open play at Euro 2016, though, with that penalty being the only time Germany have conceded in their last six outings. It is a vast improvement on their form leading up to the tournament, with Germany having gone eight games without a clean sheet before their final warm-up game, conceding 14 goals in that time including three at home to both England and Slovakia. As always seems to be the case with them, though, they have come good in time for the tournament itself, and while they haven't been firing on all cylinders throughout the campaign, they always have that attacking threat even if they do concede. Indeed, Germany are the highest-scoring nation in European Championship history with 72 goals, 12 more than the next best, which just so happens to be France.

GERMANY VS. FRANCE MEMORIES: Four years after the ill-tempered and, for France, ill-fated World Cup semi-final of 1982, the same two teams came up against each other at the same stage of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. France were gunning for revenge, but once again they were ousted by the Germans, who ran out 2-0 winners after an early goalkeeping error had put them in control. As was the case four years earlier, though, Germany went on to lose in the final.

They may be world champions and in the semi-finals of this summer's tournament, but Germany's form hasn't actually been as good as you might expect in recent times. They do come into this match unbeaten in six games, but in the 18 outings prior to this recent run they were beaten no fewer than seven times - a pretty poor ratio for a team who had just established themselves as the best in the world. It is not usual for them to dip so drastically between tournaments either - their seven defeats in those 18 matches is the same amount of times they were beaten as in the 61 prior to that, so there was a clear drop off after their glory in Brazil. That run also includes defeats to USA, Republic of Ireland and Slovakia, so France will certainly feel that they have a chance tonight.

Even during qualifying they weren't entirely convincing, although it must be said that they were drawn in a very tough group and still managed to finish top. Despite that, they were beaten by Poland and took just one point off Republic of Ireland while reaching this competition, which is certainly not the sort of dominance we are used to from such high-calibre teams in qualifying. Even so, it is hard not to come back to the point that they just know how to win major tournaments. They have lost just one of their last 18 World Cup or Euros matches, with that coming at the hands of Italy in the semi-finals four years ago, winning 14 of those and drawing three. Their lost defeat other than that also came in a semi-final, though, when they were beaten 1-0 by Spain in 2010.

They are also the joint most successful nation in Euros history with three titles, while they have lost in a further three finals. They are currently suffering their longest ever drought in the competition, though, with their most recent triumph coming 20 years ago in Euro '96. They famously needed penalties en route to that title, and if tonight's match went to a shootout then you'd have to back Germany again. They were beaten by Czechoslovakia in their first ever shootout in the final of Euro 1976, but since then they have won six in a row, and should they win another tonight then they would become the first side in Euros history to win shootouts in back-to-back matches.

EURO SEMI-FINAL MEMORIES: Speaking of penalties at Euro 1996, here is the match that I was talking about. The last time Germany won the trophy was also the last time they knocked out the hosts in the semi-finals as they overcame England 20 years ago. From Shearer's opening goal to Gazza's excruciating near miss, it made for painful viewing for England fans before Gareth Southgate missed the crucial penalty to send them out. On this occasion, Germany did go on to lift the trophy, but from an English perspective the tournament fizzled out on this night. Look away now England fans...

1996 (June 26) England 1-Germany 1 (European... by sp1873

It is a formidable test that awaits France, then, but Les Bleus do seem to be peaking at just the right time and many people will make them favourites for this mouth-watering contest tonight. They have only failed to score in one of their five outings at this summer's tournament, and are the highest-scoring team in the competition having hit the back of the net 11 times, including a Euro record five headers. Whether they go for the aerial route tonight remains to be seen, but it is certainly a tactic that has brought them joy with the likes of Giroud and Pogba offering a significant threat from such situations.

On top of that, a few French players seem to be having their own personal tussle for the Golden Boot award this summer, and they needed their key players to perform to make it this far in the competition. That was particularly true in the group stages and, while four wins and one draw from five outings looks good on paper, it is important to remember that it hasn't all be plain sailing. France were on the verge of drawing their opening group game against Romania until Dimitri Payet popped up with that stunning winner in the 89th minute, and they left it even later in the next game against Albania. Griezmann finally broke the deadlock in the 90th minute, before Payet added another deep into stoppage time to give the scoreline a rather flattering look. That was all they needed to secure qualification, though, and their 0-0 draw against Switzerland in the final group game was more or less a dead rubber, with Deschamps making a number of changes for that one.

That set up a last-16 showdown with the Republic of Ireland, who still hadn't forget Thierry Henry's handball which cost them a place at the World Cup. Ireland looked as though they could be on course for revenge when Brady put them ahead from the spot after just two minutes, but once again key players stepped up to the plate for France. This time it was Antoine Griezmann again, with the striker turning the game on its head with two goals in the space of four second-half minutes. At that point Ireland were still very much in the game, but a red card for Duffy with 24 minutes remaining left them with a mountain to climb and ultimately it was too far back for the Irish.

After that it was a quarter-final against one of the surprise packages of the tournament as England's conquerors Iceland awaited in the last eight. Iceland had held Portugal and beaten England in tournament already, but not many would have been expecting them to topple the hosts and sure enough the match was soon over as a contest. Giroud and Pogba both scored inside the opening 20 minutes, and that lead had extended to 4-0 before half time as Iceland's Euros dream slipped away. They did rally with two goals back in the second half, but another for Giroud just before the hour mark killed off any slim hopes of a remarkable comeback as France ran out emphatic 5-2 victors.

GERMANY VS. FRANCE MEMORIES: France have beaten Germany once before at a major tournament, but that came 58 years ago when the two sides met in the third-placed playoff at the 1958 World Cup. The game itself was a thriller and a high-scoring affair, but as with many third-placed playoffs, there wasn't a great deal riding on the result for either side. In the end France won 6-3 for what remains their last competitive triumph over Die Mannschaft.

TEAM NEWS! The team news is in, and there are a few interesting selections for both sides...

GERMANY STARTING XI: Neuer; Can, Boateng, Höwedes, Hector; Kroos, Schweinsteiger; Kimmich, Özil, Draxler; Müller

FRANCE STARTING XI: Lloris; Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra; Pogba, Matuidi; Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet; Giroud

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, from a Germany perspective the big question was who Joachim Low would choose to replace his absentee trio of Hummels, Khedira and Mario Gomez. The latter two have been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to thigh and hamstring injuries respectively, while Hummels picked up a yellow card in the quarters and so misses out through suspension. Interestingly, Liverpool's Emre Can looks to be the man to replace Hummels in defence, starting alongside Howedes and Boateng in the back three. Kimmich and Hector are expected to provide the width as wing-backs, with Can being the only new face in the defensive unit.

It is a particularly momentous day for Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has shaken off a knee injury to replace Khedira in the side. This will be his 38th match at a major international tournament, setting a new all-time record for appearances for any player of any nation at World Cups and European Championships. He was joint with Miroslav Klose, but is now out on his own. The Manchester United man also equals the record Cristiano Ronaldo set last night of playing in three separate European Championship semi-finals - a record Lukas Podolski could also equal should he come on. Finally, Schweinsteiger could equal another record set by Ronaldo last night of scoring in two separate Euros semis, and he would become only the fourth player to do that.

Mesut Ozil could also achieve that feat if he finds the back of the net, and while he received come criticism for his Arsenal performances in the second half of last season, there is no doubting his importance to Germany. He is the only player to have started all 24 of Germany's matches at major tournaments since and including the 2010 World Cup. He also leads the way in terms of assists in that timeframe with eight. Alongside him in midfield is Julian Draxler, who has earned himself a starting role in the absence of Gomez having scored against Slovakia in the last 16.

Gomez's absence also means that Thomas Muller leads the line again, but the Bayern Munich attacker has not had much luck in this competition. I'm sure there were plenty of people who had a flutter on him being the tournament's top scorer this year, but he is yet to score in 10 matches at European Championships and even missed a penalty in the shootout against Italy on Saturday. How he didn't score against Northern Ireland is anybody's guess, but when you compare his Euros record with his World Cup record, where he has scored 10 goals and assisted a further six in 13 matches, it is tough to explain just why he continues to draw blanks.

© AFP

As for France, they had a fully-fit squad to choose from, but Didier Deschamps did still have a couple of decision to make, with Adil Rami and N'Golo Kante returning from suspension. However, the French boss has decided to stick with an unchanged side to the one that was so impressive against Iceland in the quarter-finals, and in truth it is no real surprise. That means that Samuel Umtiti continues alongside Koscielny at the heart of the defence, while Moussa Sissoko, who was relegated from the Premier League with Newcastle last season, continues in place of Kante, one of the key cogs of Leicester Premier League title triumph.

It is certainly a bold and attacking choice from Deschamps, with some suggestions that he could go back to a more reserved formation with Kante protecting the back four. He has taken the risk of going at Germany, though, and while the world champions are clearly a tougher test than Iceland, if they play the same way as they did in the quarters then they will stand a good chance of progressing. The likes of Paul Pogba, who today has been linked with a staggering £100m move to Manchester United, Blaise Matuidi and Dimitri Payet are all key players for Les Bleus, and that midfield battle is going to be a particularly tasty one as there is plenty of world-class talent involved in it.

One player who many people have said is not world class is Olivier Giroud. The much-maligned Arsenal striker has repeatedly faced accusations of not being good enough to fire the Gunners to the title, and was even booed by French fans not too long ago, but he looks on course to fire France to the Euro 2016 crown as things stand. He has scored four goals and laid on three assists in six starts at major international tournaments, and he has also scored on both of his previous starts against Germany, including scoring his first ever international goal against them in February 2012. He has also scored past Manuel Neuer the last three times he has faced the Germany keeper - once for France and twice for Arsenal.

© AFP

Despite Giroud's form, and that of Payet and Pogba, probably the star of the show for France so far has been Antoine Griezmann. He is the top scorer in the tournament with four goals, while no player has contributed directly to more goals than the Atletico Madrid man (six - four goals, two assists). Cristiano Ronaldo did level that tally last night, but Griezmann still has a game in hand over the Portuguese skipper. Indeed, his tally of four goals is the most by a French player in a major tournament since Michel Platini memorably scored nine in five games at Euro 1984 which, when you consider that France have had the likes of Henry, Trezeguet and Zidane playing for them since then, is some feat.

EURO SEMI-FINAL MEMORIES: Speaking of 1984, that tournament threw up one of the all-time classic European Championship games as France took on Portugal in the semi-final on home soil. It was a five-goal thriller in which Platini, as he did for the entire tournament, played a starring role, with France eventually running out 3-2 winners. Les Bleus went on to win the competition, but it was this semi-final that was arguably the game of the tournament.

France are actually looking to lift a major international trophy on home soil for the third time this summer, so they certainly do like to make home advantage count. They did the same at the 1998 World Cup, which means that they are now unbeaten in their last 17 major international tournament games on home soil, winning 15 of those and drawing just two. Their last defeat in France on such a stage came all the way back in 1960 when they were beaten by Czechoslovakia in the inaugural European Championships in 1960. They are one of just three nations to have ever won this competition on home soil after Spain (1964) and Italy (1968), with their triumph in 1984 the last time that it happened.

They have been in fine form at home in the build-up to this tournament too. Of course, it can be hard to judge a team when they don't have competitive fixtures to play, but they can only beat the teams placed in front of them and they have invariably done that at home. They have won 10 of their last 11 outings in France, with the only exception in that run being the goalless draw against Switzerland in the final group game when qualification was already guaranteed. Their last defeat came exactly 13 months ago when they were beaten 4-3 by Belgium, while their winning streak since then includes victory over Germany, albeit in a match overshadowed by the Paris terror attacks.

Home and away they went into this summer's tournament in good shape, going nine matches unbeaten with eight wins and one draw. Indeed, they have won 13 of their last 15 outings home and away, with their only defeat in that time coming against England at Wembley in the wake of those terrorist attacks in Paris, when the players' minds must surely have been elsewhere. The other exception in that 15-game run was the draw against Switzerland, so Didier Deschamps's side certainly go into tonight's match as the form team remaining in the competition. As I have already mentioned, they haven't quite been firing on all cylinders throughout the tournament, but they do appear to be coming good at just the right time, if that Iceland drubbing is anything to go by.

Germany are without a doubt the kings of this stage of a tournament, certainly when it comes to European teams, but France are not exactly inexperienced either. This is their first semi-final for 10 years, since the World Cup in 2006, but it is their fifth European Championship semi-final overall and their third as hosts. They have a 50% record both as hosts and overall, but their recent record at this stage of the competition is very good. On the last three occasions that they have reached the last four, they have gone on to the final, and ended up lifting the trophy two of those times. The last time they were beaten at this stage of a tournament was 20 years ago at Euro 1996, when Czech Republic came out on top.

They also have a 50% win ratio here in Marseille, with seven victories from 14 previous matches here. That includes three draws and four defeats, with one of those draws coming against Germany in a friendly in 1968. The aforementioned 1984 semi-final against Portugal, which France won 1984, was played in Marseille too, which France will no doubt be hoping is a good omen for them tonight. More recently than that, they were at the Stade Velodrome for their second group game against Albania, when they needed those late, late goals from Griezmann and Payet to come away with a 2-0 victory that sealed their place in the knockout rounds.

France would certainly take a late winner tonight, particularly as it would prevent the match going all the way to penalties. I have already talked about Germany's formidable record in shootouts, but France's is very much mixed, with three wins and three defeats. Their most recent shootout came in the 2006 World Cup final, which Italy ultimately won 5-3 to break French hearts in a match that had already seen Zidane infamously sent off in his last ever appearance. Their only previous shootout against Germany came in that 1982 World Cup semi-final, and once again they ended up on the losing side on that occasion too.

GERMANY VS. FRANCE MEMORIES: The last time that these two sides played each other at a major international tournament came just two years ago when they were paired up in the World Cup quarter-finals. The French team was young and highly-rated, but Germany were just ahead of them in their development and ultimately it was a 12th-minute header from Mats Hummels - suspended tonight - that separated the two sides. Germany famously went on to thrash Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals before beating Argentina on penalties in the final.

PREDICTION: Right, we're nearing kickoff at the Stade Velodrome, which means that it is time for a prediction! This really should be a cracking contest between the two favourites to lift the trophy. Germany have shown their qualities at times in this tournament and, if they can find their shooting boots, there may be no stopping them. However, they could lack a focal point with Gomez, whereas France's fluid attack has been so impressive and they have so many dangermen in good form. It should be a close one, but I've backed France to win this tournament since the 2014 World Cup so I will go with them to progress tonight, possibly via extra time!

France actually lead the overall head to head between these two nations, winning 12 of their 27 matches compared to nine for Germany. Of the four previous meetings at major tournaments, though, Germany have won the last three, knocking France out in the semis of the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, and the quarter-finals two years ago. France's only victory on such a stage not only came 58 years ago, but it was also in the fairly meaningless show of the third-placed playoff. This is, however, the first time that the two sides have met at a European Championships.

France have failed to keep a clean sheet in those four previous meetings at major tournaments, conceding nine goals in the process, although they have also scored nine goals despite drawing blanks in two of the clashes. Those two blanks have come in the two most recent games at World Cups, though, with Alain Giresse being the last French player to score against Germany in a competitive fixture back in the 1982 World Cup semi-final. The most recent meeting between the sides came in November of last year as Giroud and Gignac scored in a 2-0 win at the Stade de France, although the result paled in significance to events that went on in Paris and Saint-Denis that night as they were hit by a string of co-ordinated terrorist attacks.

Right, we're just minutes away from kickoff now as the players come out of the tunnel. Needless to say, it is a huge match for both nations tonight - who will meet Portugal in the final on Sunday? We'll have the answer in just a couple of hours. Before kickoff, though, here is a little cause for optimism for the French...

4 - #FRA have won their 4 games v #GER when they were World Cup holder: 3-1 in 1954, 6-3 in 1958, 1-0 in 1977 & 2-0 in 2015. Believe. — OptaJean (@OptaJean) July 7, 2016

The anthems have been belted out and all that's left is the game itself now. Spine-tingling stuff, particularly from the French. You have to love that anthem.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! It is a magnificent atmosphere in the Stade Velodrome as France get us underway for this second semi-final.

Payet shows his first piece of dazzling footwork to skip away from one defender and lift a cross into the box, but Can is there to block it behind for a corner.

France have made a bright and positive start to this match, looking to get on the front foot early on. They have got into a few good positions already as well, so Deschamps will be happy with what he has seen so far.

Well, there were questions as to what approach France would take to this game, and if Deschamps's team selection didn't answer that then this start has. They are first to everything at the moment.

CHANCE! Big chance for France to take an early lead here! Matuidi flicks the ball inside and Griezmann delays his shot, carving the defence open. He tries to place it into the bottom corner, but his shot is just too close to Neuer and the keeper makes a good save down low to his left.

Germany get their best piece of possession so far and try to take the sting out of the game, but that is easier said than done in this cauldron. The French players seem every bit as up for this as the French fans.

It's been better from Germany in the last couple of minutes as they look to fight back from that quick French start. This one is already shaping up to be a magnificent tussle.

CHANCE! Germany have their first chance of the match following a good passing move, with Kimmich turning the ball around the corner for Can. He in turn puts the ball in the box for Muller, but he turns it a few yards wide of the far post when sliding in.

CHANCE! Another chance for Germany, and this time Lloris is called upon to make a smart save. The ball comes in to Can and he doesn't catch his shot quite right, but it takes a really good low stop from the France captain to push it away. It almost falls for Draxler, but a mixture of Sagna and Koscielny smuggle the ball clear.

SAVE! Another save for Lloris to make, but this one is much more straightforward. Muller finds himself in a bit of space around 25 yards from goal, but his shot is straight at Lloris, who gathers it comfortably.

Well, if the first 10 minutes belonged to France, the next 10 have been Germany's. The world champions have taken control of possession and, having weathered the early storm, it is now Germany who are looking the most like scoring.

Well, I said it wouldn't be easy for Germany to take the sting out of this game, but they are doing a good job of it right now! France can't get their foot on the ball at the moment as Germany continue to dominate possession.

PENALTY SHOUT! Germany want a penalty here, with Kroos driving forward to the edge of the box before just been caught on the heel by Pogba as he was about to pull the trigger. It was right on the edge of the box so, even if it was a foul, it may have been a free kick, but that was a close call.

France finally get the ball back, and Payet wins them a free kick well within his shooting range. Just the small matter of Neuer to beat from 30 yards...

SAVE! It's over the wall and on target, but in the end Neuer makes it look easy to collect it. Decent enough effort from Payet, but it will take a truly special shot from there to beat the German keeper.

SAVE! More German danger here as first a cross arrives to Ozil at the back post that the Arsenal man mis-hits, but the world champions soon win it back and Schweinsteiger goes for goal from range. It may not be dipping in, but Lloris takes no chances and tips it over anyway.

Payet almost puts his team in danger with a sliced clearance that falls to a white shirt on the edge of the box, but France scramble across in time to clear the danger.

We've had half an hour now in Marseille, and for 20 minutes of this game Germany have been very impressive indeed. They are outnumbering France in midfield and simply outclassing the hosts at the moment. They look a cut above.

CHANCE! Very nearly another big chance for Germany, but Umtiti makes a vital interception. The ball came to Draxler at the back post and he could only poke it into a dangerous area, but the France defender got there just before Muller.

This one may not be as one-sided on the scoresheet as Germany's semi-final against Brazil two years ago, but in terms of possession and territory there isn't a great deal of difference. Germany are in complete command.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the night is shown to Can for a trip on Griezmann, and once again it is a free kick well within shooting range.

SAVE! This time it is Pogba who goes for goal, and it is another decent effort, but Neuer once again makes it look very easy to collect.

SAVE! Matuidi gives the ball straight to Muller inside his own half, and the German attacker strides forward with it. He is a little isolated, though, so goes for goal from range, forcing Lloris into a fairly routine save.

Germany claim for another penalty here as Schweinsteiger tries to get on the end of a corner before going down under the challenge of Pogba. Once again the referee says no, and it is the right decision.

SHOT! Much better from France as they make a rare foray forward down the left flank, Evra collects the ball on the overlap before playing a pass inside to Griezmann, who chips it up to himself before slamming a shot into the side-netting.

CHANCE! Huge chance for France! The ball breaks to Giroud and the Arsenal man suddenly finds himself clean through on goal. However he simply doesn't have the pace to get away and doesn't look up for Griezmann in support. Howedes sprints back and launches himself in the man of Giroud's shot with a brilliant block.

YELLOW CARD! Evra goes into the book for a cynical challenge on Kroos.

Incredible scenes at the Stade Velodrome! After a half of dominance, France take the lead right at the interval courtesy of a Griezmann penalty and go into the break ahead. Confusion reigned initially when the referee awarded the penalty, but replays show that Evra's header hit the outstretched hand of Schweinsteiger. There was no distance between the players, but the hand was up and the referee awarded the penalty. Up stepped Griezmann to send Neuer the wrong way and give his side the lead.

Incredible end to the half in Marseille as France somehow go in ahead following that late penalty. It was one-way traffic for the vast majority of the half in Germany's favour as they dominated possession and territory, but ultimately, as things stand, it is France who will be going to the final.

The penalty itself is sure to divide opinion as Schweinsteiger certainly couldn't have got his hand out of the way, but at the same time he is a very clever player and it looked as though he had purposefully put his hand there knowing that Evra would beat him to the ball. It is a brave decision from the referee which could have gone either way, but you can see why he gave it. Griezmann kept his nerves from the spot kick, confidently stroking the ball home from 12 yards.

France have actually probably had the better chances in the game, one of which came after just seven minutes. It was a superb team move that would have been one of the goals of the tournament had Griezmann been able to pick out the bottom corner, but Neuer got down really well to push the ball away. Another fell to Giroud as he raced clean through on goal, but he lacked the pace to get away from Howedes and the German defender got back to back a brilliant block.

Germany have had chances of their own, though, with Muller steering their first a few yards wide of the target having latched on to Can's cross. Germany's dominance started to grow from there, and Lloris was called upon to make a few saves to deny Can, Muller and Schweinsteiger. They haven't created any really clear-cut openings in the match so far, though.

Umtiti made a vital clearance to deny Muller a clear chance shortly after the half-hour mark, but despite France being ahead they need to improve in the second half. It will be interesting to see if they make any changes at the break.

KICKOFF: Germany get us back underway for this second half, and there have been no changes for either side at the break. Can France hold out to reach the final in the coming 45 minutes?

CHANCE! Another chance for Giroud as he is picked out by a great pass from Pogba in a bit of space. He once again delays his shot, though, and that allows Boateng to make the block.

France have started this half as they did the first, getting right on the front foot. Giroud knocks the ball into the path of Griezmann here, and his efforts deflects over the crossbar for another corner.

YELLOW CARD! Draxler becomes the latest player in the book for scything down Sissoko after the Newcastle man had won a good tussle between the pair.

It's a mirror image of the first half so far. France made a bright start, but Germany are taking control of things again now. Umtiti, incidentally, is having a very good game at the back on only his second cap for France.

We're less than 10 minutes into the second half, but already things look like they are getting a bit nervy for both sides. There's a long way to go yet!

They got away with it in the first half, but France inviting pressure onto them is a dangerous game with so much of the match remaining and the quality at Germany's disposal. They may not have much of a choice in the matter, but they need to try and break out.

No chances to report in the last few minutes as Germany continue to probe for a way through. It must be said that France have defended well so far today, preventing Germany from getting any clear chances despite all of their possession.

Big concern for Germany here as Boateng goes down off the ball and signals that he won't be able to continue here. It's not just this game he is out of, it may be the final if Germany get there.

GERMANY SUB: Here is that change as Shkodran Mustafi replaces the injured Boateng. Big blow for Germany.

Half a chance for Germany from a corner, but the header goes looping onto the roof of the net as Lloris watches it over.

Just 25 minutes separate France from a home European Championships final now. They have got themselves on the ball a little more in the last five minutes or so and so far have prevented Germany from creating anything in this second half.

GERMANY SUB: Joachim Low has seen enough now and makes his first unenforced change as Mario Gotze replaces Can.

Almost a shooting chance for Payet, which would have been similar to his effort against Romania just on the other side. He works space to shoot well enough, but his contact is poor and dribbles into the arms of Neuer.

At the other end Germany come forward and a low ball is played into the box, with Draxler attacking the near post. Again Umtiti is there, though, and he does enough to force only a corner.

Sissoko brings down Kroos after decent footwork from the Real Madrid man. This free kick is just out of shooting range, but Kroos could lift it into the box...

He does exactly that to pick out Mustafi at the back post, but the sub can't make anything of it and the flag is up anyway.

FRANCE SUB: France make their first change of the evening, and it is a wise one from Deschamps as N'Golo Kante comes on in place of Payet.

France double their lead in Marseille! This time it is a catalogue of errors from Germany that lead to the goal, with Kimmich being caught in possession inside his own area before Pogba beats his man and lifts a cross into the box. Neuer comes to claim, but can only palm the ball into the path of Griezmann, who stabs it home for his sixth goal of the tournament!

OFF THE POST! Incredible scenes here! Germany, in need of a goal, almost get one immediately in reply. Kimmich, looking to make amends, collects the ball just outside the area and tries to curl one into the far top corner. It has Lloris beaten, but just clips the outside of the post on its way behind.

YELLOW CARD! Kante becomes the latest player in the book, gifting Germany a free kick in shooting range.

CLOSE! Muller and Ozil both leave the free kick for Draxler, who curls one narrowly past the post. For a moment it looked as though it was going to nestle into the corner, but in the end it flew a yard or so wide.

FRANCE SUB: Another change for France here as Andre-Pierre Gignac replaces Giroud.

GERMANY SUB: Off goes experience in Schweinsteiger, and on comes youth in Leroy Sane here.

CHANCES! Oh my word, Sane almost breaks the deadlock within a couple of seconds of coming on. A free kick is hoisted into the box and appears to come off Sane last, bobbling agonisingly past the post. A corner is awarded, though, and from it the ball drops to Mustafi, but he lashes his effort well over.

Less than 10 minutes remain for Germany to come up with something special here! It is such a big ask for them now though, and France deserve so much credit for the way they have defended.

CHANCE! Chance for Germany to get that all-important first goal back as Kroos lifts a free kick into the box that Howedes attacks really well, but his powerful header ripples the top of the net on its way over.

The urgency is really starting to grow for Germany right now, but there isn't really a plan B for them now. They have no Klose any more who they can throw long balls up to, so they continue to try to pass through France.

CHANCE! Griezmann has a chance to kill the game off and seal a hat-trick here as he races clear down the left and shows good strength to hold off a challenge. He cuts back into a shooting position, but then doesn't catch his effort and Neuer collects.

Gignac goes for goal this time, but his low strike is heading wide as Neuer keeps it in anyway to get things going quickly again.

There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this match. Four minutes separate France from the final of Euro 2016!

FRANCE SUB: Once final sub for France as Griezmann makes way for Yohan Cabaye. Griezmann has been the hero today!

SAVE! Oh what a save this is! Lloris keeps his clean sheet intact with a stunning stop to deny Kimmich's firm header. Moments later another header goes just past the post, and France are pretty much there now!

What a night for France! They book their place in the final of Euro 2016 on home soil, setting up a showdown with Portugal at the Stade de France on Sunday. Germany dominated possession and territory, but they couldn't find a way through the French defence and it is Didier Deschamps's side who are celebrating in Marseille.

There were no shortage of heroic performances for France tonight, but Griezmann will steal all of the headlines courtesy of his match-winning brace. The first came from the penalty spot right on the stroke of half time, while his second arrived with less than 20 minutes remaining as he poked the ball home after mistakes from Kimmich and Neuer. Germany hit the post moments after the second goal, but ultimately had no reply for that Griezmann double.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's special occasion as France book their place in the final of Euro 2016 courtesy of a 2-0 win over Germany. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. We'll see you for the final on Sunday!