France vs Morocco: Will the Moroccan miracle continue?
Morocco will hope to keep their impressive run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup going as they prepare to face reigning champions France in the semi-finals on Wednesday evening. The Atlas Lions made history on Sunday by becoming the first African side ever to reach the semi-finals at a World Cup following their hard-fought 1-0 win over Portugal. At the start of the tournament, many people were quick to write off the North African side, expecting them to struggle to even qualify from a quartet alongside 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia and a Belgium side that had been hyped up by the media.
However, Morocco have far exceeded expectations by not only getting out of that quartet, but also deservedly beat Belgium 2-0 en route to topping their quartet. They showed great grit and tactical nous to shut down a Spain side who predictably dominated the game thanks to their passing, but were not able to find a breakthrough. And in the quarter-finals, against a Portugal team who had crushed Switzerland 6-1, they also recorded another shutout to send the EURO 2016 winners out of the competition.
What’s especially notable about Walid Regragui’s side is the fact that they have conceded just one goal so far in regular time at this year’s World Cup, which was actually an own goal against Canada. That record will certainly come under strain as they take on a France team who, save for a surprise 1-0 loss to Tunisia, have looked mostly in control of every single one of their matches so far. Les Bleus come into this match having beaten England 2-1, but certainly are relieved that Harry Kane failed to convert his second penalty which would have pulled the scores level.
Indeed, despite the much talked about Kylian Mbappe not scoring, France’s Olivier Giroud continues to show why at 36, he still has plenty to offer for club and country with a brilliant header to give his team the lead. England were left frustrated by some of the referee’s calls, but they certainly were not complaining about being given two penalties. Unfortunately, Kane, who scored the first, fluffed his lines for the second, meaning that Gareth Southgate’s team will need to wait another two years to try to finally bring a major title home.
France are hoping to become the first team since Brazil to win back to back titles, and they are just two games away from that. Certainly, given the wealth of talent at their disposal, Les Bleus are the natural favorites here, but having seen how Morocco continues to stun left and right – they have already beaten the likes of Spain and Portugal – Deschamps will not be approaching this match with an unhealthy streak of overconfidence.
For Morocco, their Cinderella story is one that is not just followed by Moroccans, but the entire African and Arab worlds. What they have achieved is something that no African team, until now, have done thanks to an unprecedented run that has seen them go six games (W3, D3) sans defeat and just one goal conceded at this tournament – which was an own goal, meaning that an opposition player has yet to find the back of the net against this very determined and resilient side. As such, Morocco will come into this game with belief that they can go even one step further and book what would be a spot in the World Cup final, but should their journey end on Wednesday, the Atlas Lions will depart with their heads held high.
