Tuesday 13 December 2022

World Cup 2022 Semi Final: France vs Morocco


For many Africans, this will be the game for the ages. Morocco become the first side not only from North Africa, but the entire continent, to make the last four. Their defensive solidity, though, will be tested against the best attack in the competition. A defensive miserliness has made Morocco a nightmare to play against, with clean sheets against elite teams like Croatia, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal.

France, the world champions, are a different prospect entirely It is hard to say where this one will go, but the defensive solidity of Morocco will be tested like never before.

France News

Although Aurelien Tchouameni, with his stunning goal against England to help knock out the Three Lions, missed training in the build-up to this game he should be fit for the semi-final. As such France come in with no real selection dilemmas, and no real problem.

With Olivier Giroud finding form at the perfect time and Kylian Mbappe still terrorising defences, France will be extremely confident coming into this one. They have nothing to worry about, nothing getting in the way of selections, and no reason to fear Morocco.

Morocco News

The Atlas Lions meanwhile are missing a gluttony of players. Romain Saiss and Nayef Aguerd, their left-handed defensive pairing, are out barring a miracle. Walid Cheddira misses out after being sent off in the Portugal game. Even more worrying, though, is the potential loss of Noussair Mazraoui. The full-back is expected to miss out, meaning that three of Morocco’s first choice back five are missing.

For a talented but shallow team so focused on defensive zeal, that will be too much. The fact that Abdelhamid Sabiri might miss out, too, means that Morocco are down a gluttony of their most important players. Hakim Ziyech should make it, though, giving them an impetus in attack once again.

Verdict

France may well have too much for the team of the tournament. If Morocco were fully fit then they might make it, but it looks like they will come up short in the end-up. The injuries are simply too many, leaving a defensively focused team with one hole too many to fill-in.

Score: 3-2 France