Defending champions against underdog challenger, a true David vs. Goliath meeting as France, the 2018 title holders take on Morocco, the first African nation to ever reach the World Cup semifinals. Les Bleus managed to squeak by a tough challenge from England thanks to Harry Kane’s late missed penalty, but they’ll have a very different challenge on their hands up next.
Morocco sport a patchwork squad, beset with injuries, but the Atlas Lions have banded together to sport exceptional and surprising depth. They are boosted by a quasi-home field advantage, as their fans have flocked to Qatar in droves to create a stunning atmosphere.
Match Details:
- Match: France vs Morocco
- Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2022
- Time: 2:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm GMT / 6:00 am AEDT (Thu, Dec. 15)
- Venue: Al Bayt Stadium
France vs Morocco Preview
A missed Harry Kane penalty is a football collector’s item, and France were the “fortunate” receivers of such good fortune, according to Didier Deschamps, as the defending champions kept England from taking football home in a historic quarter-final. France won thanks to Aurelien Tchouameni’s thunderbolt and Olivier Giroud’s header either side of a precise Kane penalty.
Although Bleus supporters were both relieved and horrified when England captain blasted a second spot kick over the bar. France also had to deal with a late Marcus Rashford free kick that landed on the roof of the net, and referee Wilton Sampaio was embroiled in controversy as well.
France vs Morocco Live Stream Time
This match will start from 2:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm GMT / 6:00 am AEDT (Thu, Dec. 15)
France vs Morocco Date
This match will take place on 14 December, 2022
France vs Morocco Team News
France team news:
Deschamps only made one substitution during France’s narrow triumph against England at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday. It’s unlikely the World Cup-winning manager and player will make any changes from his starting XI which has escaped injury and suspension.
Morocco team news
Morocco are walking wounded going into this historic semi-final. Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd both missed out on the quarter-final while Romain Saiss somehow managed to soldier through 50 minutes before he was stretchered off.
A combination of illness and a discomfort with his hip sidelined Mazraoui but the Bayern Munich fullback could recover by Wednesday night – although, Yahya Attiyat Allah shone as his replacement.
Aguerd is also gunning for a return from a groin problem. The West Ham centre-back reportedly wanted to feature against Portugal but wasn’t deemed fit enough – a diagnosis which may change with another four days of rest under his belt.
Walid Cheddira will not feature after collecting a pair of yellow cards in stoppage time.
France vs Morocco Lineups
France:
Lloris (GK), Varane, Hernández, Upamecano, Koundé, Rabiot, Tchouaméni, Giroud, Griezmann, Dembélé & Mbappé
Morocco:
Bounou (GK), Saïss, Hakimi, El Yamiq, Attiat-Allah, Ziyech, Amrabat, Amallah, Ounahi, Boufal & En-Nesyri
France vs Morocco Odds
Let’s take a look at the latest markets and odds ahead of the second Semi-Final between France and Morocco,
- France odds: 6/11 (1.55) – 64.7%
- Draw odds: 31/10 (4.10) – 24.4%
- Morocco odds: 7/1 (8.00) – 12.5%
France vs Morocco Tips
Once again, Morocco face long underdog odds. That has not fazed them to this point, as Morocco have been at least 3/1 underdogs in every single positive result they’ve achieved so far.
They have also been extremely defensive, and thus the odds suggest they will struggle to find the back of the net, yet that didn’t stop them from hitting Portugal on the counter. France, for all their offensive firepower, still can’t overwhelm the organization of Morocco’s defense which swings the under in heavy favor.
France vs Morocco Betting Trends
- Pick: Half with most goals: 2H
- Odds: +100 (BetMGM)
This bet just keeps getting better and better as the World Cup goes on, and yet the odds remain the same throughout. France especially have been a team that promotes second-half scoring, as every game but their opener against Australia has featured more goals in the second half. Most recently, we saw France coast through the first half against England, conceding long stretches of harmless possession.
Morocco have swung slightly towards the first half as they defend with ferocity after the break, but they’ve also benefitted from opposing teams failing to convert chances. They have conceded right about 2.20 xG in both halves, but opponents have finished at a rate below 1.0 xGOT on both.
This should be a much more exciting game after the break.
France vs Morocco Where To Watch Live Match
- USA – Fox, fuboTV
- Canada – TSN 1, CTV Website
- Uk – ITV, BBC Sport Website
- India – Sports 18, Voot, JioTV