World Cup Semi-Final preview: France v Morocco

France will play Morocco in the second World Cup semi-final on December 14^th.

Head to head

The two teams have met 11 times before, but never in a major tournament. The current head-to-head record reads seven wins to France, one to Morocco, and three draws.  One of those was in their last meeting 15 years ago.

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France

France will now believe that they have an excellent chance of following the example of Italy in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962, in defending the title they won four years ago in Russia.

Having eased through their qualifying group – despite the loss in what amounted to a dead rubber against Tunisia fielding a second-string team – they were much too strong for Poland in their round of 16 game.

Their quarterfinal opponents, England, proved a much stiffer task, mainly because they did a good job in nullifying the threat posed by Kylian Mbappé. That France still found a way is testament to their strength in all areas of the field, with Antoine Griezmann supplying Olivier Giroud for the winning goal.

Things might have been different had Harry Kane converted the second penalty England won, but all teams need the occasional stroke of luck if they are to win a trophy.

Morocco

Morocco have already made history by becoming the first African and Arab country to reach a World Cup semi-final, and it will have the overwhelming support of the stadium.

Their progress to this stage is no freak accident, though, and has been built on the best defence in the competition. They have only conceded once in all competition, and that was an own goal.

However, they do also possess the ability to counter-attack quickly, as they demonstrated in their quarter-final win over Portugal, taking the lead and then defending that despite almost constant second-half pressure.

Prediction

France will start as the clear favourites for this match, but as Belgium, Spain, and Portugal have already found to their cost, Morocco should be underestimated at their peril.

They will see deep, compact, and organised, and look to hit the French on the break. England showed that the France team may be vulnerable in the full-back area, and Morocco will have noted that with interest.

Didier Deschamps’ team will need to be patient, as well as determined to take whatever chances come their way.

Mbappé may again hold the key to success for the reigning champions. Although he had a quiet day by his standards against England, he is still capable of winning a game by himself and he remains the top scorer in the competition (one ahead of teammate Giroud).

Playing the way that Morocco do requires intense concentration and discipline, but, at this stage of the tournament, both minds and bodies must be tiring, and there will likely be a lapse at some stage.

There may only be a single goal in it, but France have the necessary quality to take it and book their place in another World Cup final.