DOHA: France will play England for the first time in a FIFA World Cup knockout match on Saturday, as favorites Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals to break open the tournament.
Morocco will attempt to become the first Arab or African nation to reach the semifinals. However, they will face Portugal, which defeated Switzerland by six goals in the last-16 stage after losing Cristiano Ronaldo. Kylian Mbappe, the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals, motivated France to reach the last eight despite a string of injuries to key players.
Didier Deschamps, the team’s coach, stated, “Kylian will always be Kylian, with the ability to be decisive at any moment.” Deschamps is attempting to become the first coach since World War II to win two World Cups simultaneously. After a 3-0 victory over African champion Senegal in the previous round, England has scored 12 goals, making them the joint highest scorers in the tournament.
After losing to Croatia in the semi-finals four years ago and to Italy in the European Championship final at Wembley last year via penalty shootout, they are still seeking their first major title since the 1966 World Cup.
England coach Gareth Southgate stated, “Those big matches are important reference points for the team.” “There have been some painful defeats that prepare you for nights like tomorrow, when you must be your best self. We are prepared to compete with France for that semifinal spot.” Morocco or Portugal will play the winner of the France-England match at Al Bayt Stadium in the round of 16.
After defeating heavyweights Spain and Belgium from Europe, Morocco has already achieved greater heights than ever before. They are just one match away from making history in African football, and the majority of the fans at Al Thumama Stadium will be behind them. Walid Regragui, the coach, stated, “We have a whole people behind us, a continent behind us, and the Arab world behind us.”
“We can accomplish it, and we can rewrite history. The support can push us, assist us in actually playing under this pressure, and prevent us from making any mistakes.
After Goncalo Ramos, Ronaldo’s replacement in the starting XI, scored a hat trick against Switzerland, Portugal will probably play without him once more.
Coach Fernando Santos, who will lead Portugal in their third World Cup quarterfinal and first since 2006, said, “It’s high time we stop with this conversation, stop the controversies (about Ronaldo).”
“In recognition of what he has done for Portuguese football, it is high time for you to leave Ronaldo alone.” Five-time champions Brazil lost in a dramatic way on Friday, losing to Croatia on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the first quarterfinal. Lionel Messi’s Argentina, on the other hand, won in a shootout after the Netherlands’ comeback.