France vs Morocco: Whose story will continue to the quarter-finals…and perhaps beyond?
On Tuesday, the round of 16 concludes with France and Morocco locking horns in the final match of the day as France and Morocco will lock horns in the final match of the day. Interestingly, this is the second consecutive year that France and Morocco will face off in a knockout round at a World Cup. Less than a year ago, the two teams met in 2022 during the semi-finals as the Atlas Lions made history as the first African nation to get to that juncture, and a year later, the Lionesses of Atlas are writing their own history at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Morocco, who are one of eight teams to make their debut this summer, were quickly dismissed by most quarters when it came to their chances at this competition. The Lionesses of Atlas were placed in Group H, alongside Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. A 6-0 humiliating loss to Germany certainly didn’t help matters, but instead of folding, the Lionesses of Atlas were quick to put that humbling lesson behind them and look forward to their next two games against South Korea and Colombia. Ibtissam Jraidi now has written her name in the history books, as her goal during her team’s 1-0 win over South Korea makes her the first player to score for Morocco at a World Cup.
That win certainly helped matters and definitely boosted Morocco’s confidence when it came to facing Colombia were confident of their chances against Colombia. Although they were in third place, with Germany still in pole position to qualify despite their shock loss to Colombia on matchday two, the Lionesses of Atlas still were in touching distance of qualifying for the round of 16. They simply needed a win – and for an already eliminated South Korea to help them by making sure that Germany didn’t win on matchday three.
Well, when the stars are aligned in your favor, everything clicks at the right time. South Korea’s 1-1 draw with Germany helped Morocco have the last laugh, as the team who thrashed them mercilessly 6-0 on matchday one were heading home early, while the Lionesses of Atlas now have a chance to keep their inspiring story going. Meanwhile, upcoming opponents France started their tournament off on a rocky foot, as they were held to a frustrating and surprise scoreless draw against Jamaica. Les Bleues, however, have steadily grown in confidence, first beating Brazil 2-1 thanks to a late header from veteran defender Wendie Renard, before playing Panama in arguably one of the most entertaining matches at this summer’s World Cup.
Currently led by Herve Renard, who’s the first manager to win a game at both the men’s and women’s World Cups, France played out one of the best games at this summer’s tournament against Panama on matchday three. Although Panama had been already eliminated, they certainly didn’t play like it, as they refused to give up, even after going from 1-0 up to 5-1 down. All in all, nine goals were scored in an exciting match, and although it kept fans and neutrals entertained throughout as France ultimately won 6-3, conceding three goals in one match is something that Renard certainly will not want to see from his side again at this competition.
All in all, Morocco will approach this game feeling that they just may be able to cause another upset of their own, and encouraged by the men’s team’s performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which saw them beat both Spain and Portugal en route to the semi-finals, the Lionesses of Atlas will be hopeful of continuing their historic run. Will they succeed, or will France, just as what happened last year, stop their run in their tracks?
