The third quarter-final at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will be an all French-speaking affair. Surprise package Senegal will face a French team who only qualified by the skin of their teeth on penalties against Argentina. The two countries will put their close historical ties to one side as they slug it out for a semi-final berth.

The match
Senegal - France, Thursday 8 November, 12h30 (local time)

The stakes
When you look at how they played in the first round, it is difficult to believe that Senegal are taking part in their first ever FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Having beaten Japan, Uruguay and Italy in the first round, the Lions of Teranga will hope to create even more of a stir by knocking out one of the favourites in a match given special significance by the historical ties between the two countries.

France are learning to be wary of matches where they start as favourites. They squeezed home against United Arab Emirates and Argentina and were beaten by Nigeria, showing lots of character but still lacking the necessary cutting edge.

The players
Pape Koukpaki and Bou Dioum are suspended for Senegal, as is the French captain Jeremy Basquaise who was sent off against Argentina.

The past
France have only ever played one African team at a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - a few days ago in their second Group D match, when they went down on penalties to Nigeria.

The words
Jean-Marie Aubry,Francegoalkeeper
We will need to play to the best of our abilities and score as many goals as possible, because when you get to this stage of the competition, every opponent is dangerous.

Gomis Mbengue,Senegalplayer
Three victories in as many matches proves that we're here to win. We're ready to go all the way and, why not, actually win the whole thing.