Morocco will be the 25th different nation to play in the World Cup semi-finals, the first from Africa, and their opponents are defending champions France.
Morocco have cemented their names in African folklore as the first nation on the continent to reach the World Cup semi-final stage. The Atlas lions are unbeaten heading into the semis and have only conceded one goal in the tournament.
Stunning performances saw them draw with fellow semi-finalists Croatia, beat Belgium 2-0 and Canada 2-1, to top Group F. In the Round of 16, Morocco faced Spain and maintained their clean sheet, all the way to the penalty shootout which they won 3-0. In the quarter-final, they eliminated Portugal, 1-0.
France, the World Cup defending champions, come to the fixture as firm favorites. A convincing performance on matchday one set the tone for France, who went on to top Group D, albeit on goal difference.
France beat Australia 4-1 on matchday one, before winning 2-1 against Denmark. A shock 1-0 loss to Tunisia in the final group game saw France top Group D ahead of Australia.
In the Round of 16, they won 3-1 against Poland, before setting up a quarter-final clash with England. France won 2-1.
France forward Kylian Mbappe is PSG teammate Lionel Messi’s rival for the World Cup Golden boot. Both forwards have 5 goals, and Messi has one more assist (3 compared to Mbappe’s 2).
According to BBC, France center-back Dayot Upamenacano and Midfielder Adrien Rabiot will miss the fixture after completing only light training on Tuesday.
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Morocco will play without Walid Cheddira, who received a red card against Portugal. Centre-back Nayef Aguerd missed the Portugal fixture due to a thigh injury and fellow center-back and captain Romain Saiss was forced off the Portugal fixture due to the same issue.
Head Coach Walid Regragui is the last of 5 African coaches in charge of the 5 African teams at the 2022 Qatar World Cup and he will definitely have set his ambitions high for the fixture. Morocco have only conceded an own goal in the whole tournament and have proved a hard nut to crack.
Predicted Lineups
France: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
Morocco: Bono; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Predicted Scores
Morocco will defend deep and hope to catch France on the break. Injuries and players returning back from injury could cost them since France will e out to stretch their defense with top players, such as Mbappe and Griezmann.
The French are yet to keep a clean sheet in 11 matches dating back to June. This fixture at the Al Bayt Stadium is a close call but France have more depth.
France (3)-(0) Morocco
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