Official line-up France-Morocco, the big surprise of the World Cup takes on the defending champions: prediction of goalscorers, cautions and shooters
We already have a finalist. In the final act in Lusail on Sunday, there will be the Argentina of a fantastic Messi, who last night took one bite out of Croatia. The other will come out of the fascinating confrontation between world champions France, who want to give themselves a second consecutive final, and the undisputed surprise of Qatar 2022: Morocco.
A semi-final that was unthinkable at the start of the tournament, when nobody imagined Walid Regragui’s men could go this far. Dreams, however, can come true at the World Cup and, relying on a practically insurmountable defence – only one goal conceded in the event – the North African selection left the world open-mouthed, becoming the first African and Arab national team to reach the top four. A ‘sporting miracle’ destined to remain etched in football history. It goes without saying that reaching the final would be the apotheosis. And doing so at the expense of France, a country with which Morocco has centuries-old ties, would have another flavour.
There are five previous matches between France and Morocco: the balance is three transalpine victories and two draws. Didier Deschamps’ selection, as we told you in our prediction, is the favourite. But the Atlas Lions cannot be underestimated after their exploits against Spain and Portugal. Here are the formation choices of the two coaches
- FRANCE (4-3-3): Lloris; Koundé, Varane, Konaté, T. Hernandez; Tchouaméni, Griezmann, Fofana; Dembélé, Giroud, Mbappé. CT: Didier Deschamps
- MOROcco (5-4-1): Bono; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Ziyech, Ounahi, Amrabat, Boufal; En-Nesyri. TC: Walid Regragui
Official line-ups France-Morocco, goalscorer prediction
LFive goals like his club-mate Messi (they are currently the two top scorers in the tournament), sensational play and uncommon explosiveness. Kylian Mbappé is one of the best players of this World Cup and wants to make his mark in the semi-final with Morocco, after being somewhat overshadowed in the quarter-final with England. A spectacular duel is looming with his friend Hakimi, who is also his partner in Psg, but the feeling is that the star of the transalpine national team will be the main weapon with which Deschamps will try to conquer the Moroccan bunker. Yes, Mbappé may end up on the scoresheet
France-Morocco official line-ups, likely cautions and marksmen
It will be very complicated for France to break through in the centre: the risk is to end up like the Spanish and Portuguese, who not only broke through Morocco’s wall but also allowed Regragui’s formation to become increasingly punishing on the counter-attack
Theo Hernandez
The biggest dangers for the North Africans are therefore likely to come from the outside. Koundé and Theo Hernandez, Deschamps’ full-backs, appear to be two capable of doing damage, as well as being very dangerous on corner kicks. On the other side, however, watch out for Hakimi, also a threat on spot kicks. There should be no shortage of cautions, especially if the game does not break free. Candidates for a yellow are Amrabat – Ragragui’s all-rounder, who will have to deal with the elusive Griezmann – and Hakimi, called upon to contain Mbappé’s speed. Among the French, Tchouaméni is at risk.
