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.