At the Al Bayt Stadium, Morocco, the first African team to reach the last four of a World Cup. Will receive ear-splitting support. They will need every bit of it to defeat the defending champions and continue their fairytale run. Morocco will play France in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday. A match with political and social undertones. Looking to bring another soccer superpower to its knees after defeating Belgium, Portugal, and Spain in Qatar.
At the Al Bayt Stadium, Morocco, the first African team to reach the last four of a World Cup. Will receive ear-splitting support. They will need every bit of it to defeat the defending champions and continue their fairytale run. The encounter with France, a former colonial power, will be more difficult. France’s marginalized migrant communities have been celebrating their victories on the streets as a result of Morocco’s efforts in Qatar.
Throughout the tournament, crowds have encouraged players to keep going as the North Africans have emptied the tanks in every game. Morocco advanced to the semifinals by defeating the highly anticipated Spaniards and Portuguese after finishing first in a group that also included Canada, Belgium, and Croatia. However, it remains to be seen whether they possess sufficient resources to orchestrate an even larger upset.
By their own confirmation, there is a tremendous gap in quality between the different sides.
Morocco is expected to resist an attack by France. Morocco’s defense has been nearly impenetrable, allowing only one goal in their five games so far—an own goal against Canada. They are likely to be without key defender Nayef Aguerd once more due to a hamstring injury, and they will be concerned about the status of captain Romain Saiss, the other first-choice center-back.
Morocco’s defense faces the tournament’s leading scorer Kylian Mbappe, who has scored five goals, Olivier Giroud, who has scored four goals, and Antoine Griezmann, who performed admirably in their quarterfinal victory over England. Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi, teammates at Paris St. Germain, are also set for an intriguing battle. Britain kept Mbappe moderately peaceful however frequently needed to get serious about him down the left.
If Morocco is kept busy trying to stop Mbappe. Their ability to use their right flank for counterattacks using a combination of Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech will be limited. Didier Deschamps, the coach of France, stated, “At this level, it always comes down to a few details.” Quality isn’t sufficient, yet in that frame of mind there is likewise mental strength and a little encounter.” Fitness, strategy, and tactics will always only be a part of the story, as Deschamps acknowledged.
To avoid “settling,” Morocco will need to go very deep. They are aware that they will already receive a hero’s welcome upon their return home. Regardless of the outcome on Wednesday, having established new ground for Africa and for themselves. France, on the other hand, will view it as something of a catastrophe if they do not achieve the anticipated victory. Which would keep them on track to become the first nation to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil did so 60 years ago.