It’s the final hurdle to a final matchup and defending champions France take on the pride of Africa, the pride of the Arab world, Morocco, at the Al Bayt Stadium. Will Les Bleus edge closer to becoming the second-ever nation to defend a World Cup? Or will the Atlas Lions continue their trade of stating, ‘underdog or not, we’re here to win’?
To Win Match
France 11/20 | Draw 29/20 | Morocco 6/1
To Reach the Final
France 9/20 | Morocco 15/10
The defending world champions are on the verge of cementing their name in football history by becoming only the second nation (Brazil, 1958 and 1962) to defend their title. A little bit of luck is always needed in a world title run, and Les Bleus gaffer Didier Deschamps concurs.
France was dealt massive blows throughout the months and even days leading up to their title defence. However, they’ve shown grit to grind out results rather than dominate as they have in the past. A missed Harry Kane penalty is a collector’s item in football, and France was the “lucky” recipient according to Didier Deschamps.
Aurelien Tchouameni’s early thunderbolt and Olivier Giroud’s header either side of Kane’s first penalty got the job done. While having to showcase a more conservative approach after conceding against England, France remains without a clean sheet this 2022 World Cup.
France enter the final knockout stage without any fresh injury or suspension concerns, but some might argue that Theo Hernandez’s barge on Mason Mount for Kane’s second spot-kick warranted more than just a yellow card.
Morocco has already cemented their place in national, continental, and world football history as the first-ever African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, all the while being managed by their nation’s born and bred Walid Regragui.
Ahead of the quarter-final against a Portugal side who hit Switzerland for six, Morocco facing Cristiano Ronaldo and co. was not what the doctor ordered after losing Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui. However, having taken out giants Belgium and Spain prior, the Atlas Lions were never going to go down without a fight.
And fight they will, by conceding possession and preventing every possible opportunity. The North Africans have conceded just one goal this campaign (an own goal), and of the 45 shots they have faced, only nine have been on target.
Morocco striker Walid Cheddira received two yellow cards, earning himself only the second red card of the World Cup campaign in quick succession against Portugal, and will be suspended.
While Cheddira is a minor loss, Morocco has bigger issues on their hands as the likes of captain Romain Saiss was stretchered off against Portugal. Saiss, Aguerd and Hakim Ziyech have all mentioned they will do everything in their power to be fit ahead of the nation’s biggest fixture in their history.
Possible line-ups:
France XI: 4-2-3-1
Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.
Morocco XI: 4-3-3
Bounou; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.
Verdict: France Win (11/20)
Morocco has made history, and we the public and punters have written them off time after time in this campaign. The Atlas Lions make the pitch as compact as possible and despite injuries in previous fixtures, have still risen to the occasion vehemently.
Unsurprisingly, France has implemented a defensive style this campaign, knowing full and well that their midfield is not up to scratch, but with Kylian Mbappe being a major attacking outlet, France has taken full advantage of his true brilliance to win every match.
While I would love to back the 90-minute draw here, Morocco has sustained crucial injuries to key players. The French should find themselves in a second successive World Cup final.
