Messi 'a totally different challenge' for France - Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann says playing Lionel Messi is "a totally different proposition" to anything else they have faced in Qatar as France gear up for a World Cup title defence against Argentina.

Four and a half years on from beating Croatia to win their second world title, Didier Deschamps' side are reaching another final by seeing off spirited Morocco in a breathless semi-final clash on Wednesday.

Theo Hernandez's early acrobatic effort and a Randal Kolo Muani tap-in sealed a hard-fought 2-0 win at Al Bayt Stadium, where they edged past Gareth Southgate's England 2-1 in last weekend's tight quarter-final clash.

But Griezmann believes France now face a different challenge entirely given the quality possessed by Argentina captain - and former Barcelona team-mate - Messi.

The 35-year-old has shone in what looks likely to be his fifth and final World Cup, with the forward hell bent on crowning a glittering career with glory on Sunday.

"Any team with Messi in is a totally different proposition." Griezmann said. "We have seen practically all of their matches at this World Cup.

"We have seen Argentina play, we know how they play. They are a difficult team to play and they seem to be on top form.

"Of course, not only Messi, they have a strong side around him so we know it is going to be a tough game and they will have a lot of support in the crowd.

"We will get back to work tomorrow, focused on it, how we can hurt them, how we can defend against them. We will be well prepared."

The need to refocus on Argentina explained their somewhat stilted celebrations at full-time in Al Khor in contrast to the way they enjoyed winning their 2018 semi-final against Belgium in Russia.

"Against Belgium I cried and I think now more focused," Griezmann said.

"I