France vs Morocco

If Morocco can shackle France's Kylian Mbappe, it will be half the battle won. Advertisement. AFTER THE sweaty victory against England, the French ...

A big part of it would be to contain Mbappe, make him settle for bad numbers (by his standards) as he had against England and hope he heaves the ball into the distance rather than to the back of the net. Their prime focus was not on Kovacic and Modric, but Brozovic, to prevent him from enjoying too many touches in the midfield, to deny him the opportunity to carry the ball upfield. The first line of defence started with Youssef En-Nesyri, behind him were Azzedine Ounahi and Selim Amallah, tightly holding onto Modric and Kovacic. Almost all of the front five could play-make as well as score; even the defensive midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni could; so could Theo Hernandez, and Rafael Varane. The latter has clocked 35 kmph, the former 35.3 kmph, and together form the fastest pair in this World Cup. Then, as they strolled back to the tunnel, a football bounced onto the turf and fell in the path of Kylian Mbappe. They constricted the hat-trick hero Goncalo Ramos, the most direct of goal-scoring threats, like a python would its prey. There are multiple layers that make the game intriguing and fascinating. Among the four survivors, France has scored the most number of goals (11). Even the usually deadpan-faced Deschamps broke into peals of laughter. The numbers were put forth to manager Didier Deschamps. But so wayward was the strike that it blew somewhere into the distant stands.

France and Morocco meet in the second semifinal of the 2022 World Cup on Dec. 14. Here's what you need to know about the match.

Winning the 2018 World Cup made him the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager. He has taken Morocco further than anyone imagined at this World Cup and thinks the team can still give more. It has averaged 32% possession in its five World Cup matches, the second-lowest of any team. This strategy has worked due to its near-impenetrable defense and the ability to counter-attack at pace with the dribbling skills of wingers Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal. It was effective against England and a similar approach worked at the World Cup in Russia four years ago. It showed this against England, which had 58% possession and twice as many shots as the World Cup holder. Changing the players has not changed the script – Morocco’s defense is very hard to break. The defense has also had to adapt. For a confidence boost, Hakimi should look no further than Mbappé, who described the Moroccan as the “best RB (right-back) in the world” in a January [tweet](https://twitter.com/KMbappe/status/1486074687838949379). Reigning champion France is aiming to become the first country to win back-to-back men’s World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. It is the outsider for this match but remains unbeaten, having secured against-the-odds wins over Spain and Portugal in the knockout stage. [keeping Mbappé quiet in the quarterfinal](https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertkidd/2022/12/09/world-cup-2022-quarter-final-stop-kylian-mbapp-and-england-has-hope-against-france/), with France relying on goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Olivier Giroud for the 2-1 victory.

Morocco have become the first ever African nation to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final following their victory against Portugal. They come up against reigning ...

We lost a lot of players before the World Cup. Of course, there is another tie to be played in the semi-final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. You can play our Opta Challenge game for a chance to win $500. Morocco have become the first ever African nation to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final following their victory against Portugal. It’s not a surprise now because we’ve seen them put in a number of top performances. “We can be satisfied with what we’ve done so far, even though we want to go further. “It’s a historic achievement. “It’s fantastic what [coach Walid Regragui] has achieved,” he added. Once again, Morocco are unlikely to have most of the ball, so the combativeness of players like Azzedine Ounahi and Amrabat in midfield could be key, particularly with Griezmann so influential in his new midfield position. We lost Amine [Harit], [Imran] Louza, [Adam] Masina… “Morocco have played and beaten some of the best teams in the world, and that’s down to the players, the coach, the staff. “We’ve got to the semis, closer to the final, and this was an important achievement, so we can believe in ourselves, but we have a big game on Wednesday,” he said.

It is a do-or-die for France and Morocco in the competition. Both sides know they must win this match to advance to the competition's finals.

But with that, the other half of the globe is cheering for the competition’s underdogs. It is a do-or-die for France and Morocco in the competition. Netherlands game, half the world is cheering for Croatia to beat the South Americans.

Everything you need to know ahead of the 2022 World Cup semi-final clash between France and Morocco.

[Kylian Mbappe](https://theathletic.com/football/player/kylian-mbappe-vqEQPtKAKLluodtc/) was in his coming-of-age performance against Argentina four years ago, a deeper dive into Africa’s most successful World Cup and Ziyech’s Morocco redemption are on the menu ahead of this one. [Hakim Ziyech](https://theathletic.com/football/player/hakim-ziyech-wnxSjcAC5t7f1pHr/) was withdrawn with an issue in the latter stages but he should be fine to start against France. Meanwhile, Morocco are chasing more history for the continent of Africa. They are the first African side in World Cup history to reach the last four. Since 1998, they have reached football’s showpiece event on three occasions and will be targeting a fourth on Wednesday. After stopping Luis Enrique’s side from scoring throughout 120 minutes, the north Africans won 3-0 on penalties. Then came their toughest test and a game that should’ve probably been a semi-final or even the final, against England. Two wins from their opening two games saw them reach the knockouts with a game to spare before Deschamps’ second-string team were beaten by However, Walid Regragui revealed that none of his players are definitely ruled out for the semi-final. There are no real notable decisions for him to make as each of his players have done the jobs asked of them so far. Coverage will be shown on the BBC. Cesar Ramos has been confirmed as the match referee.

SportsLine's soccer model simulated France vs. Morocco and locked in its 2022 FIFA World Cup picks and predictions for Wednesday's semifinal.

- France vs. France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup? And which side has all the value? Hakimi is the World Cup leader with 17 tackles, and Mazraoui is tied for fourth with 13. The 31-year-old has 29 clean sheets in 48 career starts for Morocco and has a 75.6 save percentage in six seasons in Spain's La Liga, the past four with Sevilla. Midfielder Antoine Griezmann also has been a critical piece as a box-to-box player, and he is third all-time in for France with 42 goals and has 26 assists. [2022 World Cup picks](https://www.sportsline.com/fifa-wc/picks/) and predictions. France are the -185 favorites (risk $185 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in the latest France vs. Les Bleus eked out a 2-1 victory against France on Saturday to make the semifinal for the third time in their past six World Cup appearances. The model was accurate on 56% of all picks during the Champions League group stage and returned more than $1,000 to $100 bettors on its A+ picks. A draw is priced at +295 and the over/under for total goals is set at 2.5. France remain on track to defend their title, but upstart Morocco have other plans as the teams get set to meet in a 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

France is a betting favorite against Morocco on Wednesday in the 2022 World Cup, with a tie listed at +240. Sports betting sites also have props.

World Cup holders France face Africa's first-ever semifinalists Morocco in Wednesday's last-four clash in Qatar. AFP Sport looks at some of the keys to the ...

Home PageSportsFootballFrance vs Morocco: Keys to World Cup semifinalAgence France-Presselast updated: Dec 14,2022Morocco team players pose for pictures before the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between Morocco and Portugal at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on December 10, 2022.(Photos: AFP)+- DOHA — World Cup holders France face Africa's first-ever semifinalists Morocco in Wednesday's last-four clash in Qatar. Do Morocco have the legs?Morocco spent a huge amount of energy in their wins against Spain and Portugal and with some players carrying injuries, Wednesday's game will be a real test of their durability and stamina.The match against Spain went to penalties while they faced a frantic second half against Portugal.France, in contrast, has been able to take care of their knockout games without any extra time and should be much fresher.Didier Deschamps' men will seek to exploit their fitness advantage by making Morocco work hard without the ball, switching play and forcing Regragui's team to chase the ball, especially in the early stages.Lions roared onFrance have fewer injury concerns and more attacking weapons but Morocco will have the crowd behind them at the Al Bayt Stadium, urging them to pull off another upset.The African side, known as the Atlas Lions, have been one of the best-supported teams in Qatar and they will benefit from huge backing on Wednesday as the first Arab team to reach the semifinals of a World Cup.Read more SportsJordan News NEWS RELATED TONYTJordansports Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud have scored nine goals between them and Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann will also ask plenty of questions.Morocco have a number of fitness concerns in their defense — center-back Nayef Aguerd missed the Portugal game with a muscle injury and his regular partner, Romain Saiss, was substituted with a repeat of a hamstring injury.Whoever Walid Regragui is able to send out will have to be fully switched on — France showed against England that even if Mbappe is neutralized there are plenty of other sources of danger.France wary of counter-attacksIt is likely that France will enjoy plenty of possession in the Moroccan half but they will have to guard against swift counter-attacks.Morocco's style is direct and while they tend to focus on the flanks, with Hakim Ziyech on the right and Sofiane Boufal on the left, they can also go long to striker Youssef En-Nesyri and then scamper forward in support.France’s team pose for a team picture before the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between England and France at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha, on December 10, 2022.

The defending champions are big favourites against their African opponents and Les Bleus should be backed for the victory.

Morocco (+650) Back France to win this match in a shutout. Morocco have yet to have an opposing player score against them in the entire tournament, with the only goal they conceded being an own goal in their match against Canada. Under 2.5 (-165) France beat European-rival England in the quarter-finals and are now the favorites to lift the cup this year. Draw (+270)

SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green locked in his 2022 World Cup picks and predictions for Morocco vs. France in Wednesday's semifinal match.

- France vs. Green has broken down this semifinal from every angle. Les Bleus have not kept a single clean sheet at the tournament, and the defense looked very shaky in the quarterfinal against England. They also have won more tackles (104 to 98) and interceptions (51 to 49) and have conceded fewer shots outside the box (16 to 20). Filling in for the injured N'Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba, the 22-year-old Tchouameni has played a team-high 411 minutes and has completed a tournament-high 93.2% of his passes. Les Bleus have the offensive firepower to unlock the Moroccan defense. France are the -180 favorite (risk $180 to win $100) in the latest France vs. [You can head to SportsLine now to see Green's picks](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/2022-world-cup-france-vs-morocco-odds-picks-predictions-best-bets-for-wednesdays-semifinal-from-proven-soccer-expert/#ttag=12122022_agg_cbssports_picks_soccer_worldcup_martingreen_FranceMorocco). [2022 World Cup picks](https://www.sportsline.com/fifa-wc/picks/) and predictions. After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Reigning World Cup champion France can return to the World Cup final for the second straight tournament when Les Bleus square off against Morocco in a semifinal at the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday. Before you lock in your Morocco vs.

FIFA World Cup 2022: France, after beating England 2-1, will meet Morocco that defeated Portugal 1-0.

Africa's first World Cup semifinalist are playing defending champion France and striker Kylian Mbappe, the leader of a new wave of football superstars coming ...

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1 and 7, and will be free-to-air on Prime. “It’s going to make a lot of noise, a raucous atmosphere. They’re people who come from anywhere in the world to support their country,” Regragui said. “European countries are used to winning the World Cup and we have played top sides, we have not had an easy run. “We have the best fans in the world along with Argentines and Brazilians. “I was asked if we can win the World Cup and I said, ‘Why not?

France defender Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot missed team training on the eve of game against Morocco.

Their qualification for the final four has made them the first African and Arab country to ever reach a World Cup semifinal. They’re people who come from anywhere in the world to support their country,” Regragui said. The midfielder is the only player to have started in every game during the French World Cup campaign. The French side’s attack poses too many individual threats to just concentrate on one player, he said. “We have good doctors and every day we get good news. Upamecano had already missed France’s training session on Monday.

Morocco plays France in the semi-finals of the Fifa World Cup today. What you may not know is that the two countries share a complex relationship; ...

In this way, “brain drain” is arguably one of the most pernicious outcomes of colonialism and a foremost neocolonial process. In doing so, it has attained a symbolic victory over the neocolonial process of “brain drain”. Yet, behind the heartwarming story of Guinean Paul Pogba scoring for France in the World Cup final, or Malian N’golo Kante running the French midfield, hides the story of how African nations failed to gain from the talents of their most talented players. The fact that all these players are playing for Morocco, instead of the countries they/their parents migrated to, is in itself a victory. With French education also came ideas of liberty and equality, both of which were missing in the seemingly peaceful and picturesque French colony. Conditions created under colonial rule as well as the world capitalist economy that continues to divide the world into a Global North and South on erstwhile colonial lines, are what drive migration across many ex-colonies. However, the contours of Morocco’s relationship with France in many ways reproduces old colonial hierarchies. Today, an estimated five million Moroccans live abroad, with the majority of the diaspora being located in Europe, especially in France. However, France did not touch the old cities of Morocco which were spiritual and cultural nerve centres for the population. The Atlas mountains run through its length, giving the Moroccan football team its moniker of “Atlas Lions.” However, today, the West’s (and perhaps the rest of the world’s) imagination of Morocco is intimately tied to its romantic depiction in the ageless classic “Casablanca”, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Between 1912 and 1956, most of modern day Morocco was [a French colony](https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/france-vs-morocco-colonial-history-makes-it-more-than-a-football-match-8323124/).

LIVE: Reigning World Cup champions France face surprise package Morocco in the second semi-final in Qatar (6am AEDT Thursday) – with both sides chasing ...

Kylian Mbappe played a crucial role, playing the ball around on the edge of the area before his eventual shot was blocked. The Atletico Madrid Frenchman whipped in a low cross to an unmarked Varane at the front post, but the defender could not redirect the ball on target. Chances continued to mount for both teams as tension rose in the final minutes. Ziyech charged into the box but a perfect sliding tackle from Ibrahima Konate put the ball out for a corner. From the Ziyech set piece, El Yamiq attempted a brilliant bicycle kick which had goalkeeper Lloris beaten - only to slam into the post. The PSG star’s shot was blocked, but it bounced to the back post where fullback Theo Hernandez acrobatically volleyed it into the net. Griezmann’s dead-ball cross found Thuram at the back post, but his header bounced wide. The PSG star’s shot was blocked, but it bounced to the back post where fullback Theo Hernandez acrobatically volleyed into the net. His scuffed shot was cleared off the line by his good friend and PSG teammate Achraf Hakimi. Then captain Romain Saiss was forced from the field with the hamstring injury he had battled all tournament. Morocco is the first African, Arab, and Muslim nation to reach a semi-final, having beaten three European nations ranked inside the top ten. France sat deep and ceded possession in order to nullify the dangerous Moroccan counter-attack, earning their first clean sheet of the tournament while counter-attacking themselves to deadly effect.

France are favourites by a mile, but for Morocco, they're just another giant to slay.

Watched by quite possibly billions of people, the World Cup final will be held on Sunday, Qatar’s national day, at Lusail Stadium. The winners, however, go on to sport’s biggest event. When in possession, they’ll be hoping to put the ball at the feet of Achraf Hakimi, Mbappe’s teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, to see if the star pairing can make a little more magic for Morocco. [Giroud](/news/2022/12/4/olivier-giroud-scores-52nd-goal-to-break-henrys-france-record) brings the calm experience to the attacking line; a wise head that the veteran can still use to devastating effect. Head coach Didier Deschamps is one of only three men to have won the World Cup both as a player and as a manager. Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui on Tuesday made clear that his side were going to try their best to pull off [another “upset”](/news/2022/12/13/morocco-manager-confident-hopes-to-upset-france-in-semifinal) in their fairytale run.

Al Jazeera's AI robot Kashef has crunched the numbers and has some predictions for today's game.

Should manager Walid Regragui’s side do so, they have a 31 percent chance of lifting the trophy against Argentina at Lusail Stadium on December 18. With 61 matches completed, Kashef has a 67 percent accuracy level. Prediction: Sizing up all the odds, Kashef has once again concluded that Morocco face an uphill battle.

In the Qatar World Cup, Ramos oversaw three matches across the group stage and knockouts and issued seven yellow cards.

On Wednesday night, Ramos will be assisted by compatriots Alberto Morin and Miguel Hernandez, while Venezuelan Jesus Valenzuela will be the fourth official. Much to the dismay of Cristiano Ronaldo, he issued just one yellow card in that match which Uruguay won 2-1. Morocco defeated Belgium and Canada in the group stage, and 2010 champion Spain in the round of 16. Ramos’ first match, involving Denmark and Tunisia, ended in a draw, with him booking three players. France holds a 3-1 head-to-head edge over Morocco in five meetings, with their last meeting in 2007 ending in a 2-2 draw. France, which won its second World Cup title in Russia four years ago, started its title defence with wins over Australia and Denmark but lost to African side Tunisia 1-0.

As Morocco faces France in the World Cup semifinal, many players and fans of both diverse teams grapple with family tales of colonial history, challenges of ...

“And it’s an honor and a pleasure to face France. “I’m a dual national, and that’s an honor and a pleasure,” the Moroccan coach said. “Most of the Moroccan players who were born abroad chose Morocco as their national team because they feel they play for more than just to win a football match,” said Maher Mezahi, a Marseille-based Algerian journalist covering African football. Like Morocco’s supporters at home and an estimated 5 million scattered around Europe and beyond, many players grapple with family tales of colonial history, the challenges of immigration and questions of national loyalty. In Morocco, people have embraced the team's foreign-born players as their native sons. Young Moroccans, she said, “speak English instead of French, they buy more American products than French ones and even those who want to seek a better life abroad try to avoid France.”

TIME reports from Paris as questions over identity, race, and colonialism loom over Wednesday's historic semi-final.

“I think it’s a political mistake,” Benjamin Lucas, a Greens member of the French parliament, [told a radio show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nema6Z0gM5w) on Monday, in reference to Macron’s decision to go cheer on the French team in Qatar. [deaths of construction workers](https://time.com/6237677/qatar-migrant-deaths-world-cup/) who built the World Cup’s infrastructure. “This is a pivotal moment for the Arab world, and much of the African continent too,” says Monica Marks, a scholar on North African politics at New York University Abu Dhabi, who watched Saturday’s Morocco-Portugal game in Barbès. “The expectations are huge.” In 2018, Macron was in Moscow to see France play the World Cup final and, after their win, enveloped Mbappé in a bear hug, choking back tears. “There are a lot of tensions about cultural identity,” she says. “Morocco is the best, and they are going to win,” he says, asking to be quoted as Mohamed Sisi, a name he confesses is not his. For the millions of North Africans in France, and Paris in particular, the contest between the two countries is deeply personal—and even political. “This is not just football,” says Emmanuel Rivière, head of international polling at Kantar Public, a polling agency in Paris. Dermanin also said that more personnel could be added if France triumphs—with the possibility of huge crowds turning out to celebrate. When I’m in Morocco, I’m 100% Moroccan,” says Benjamin El Jaziri, 69, owner of L’Atlas, a Moroccan restaurant on Paris’s Left Bank, which has served traditional couscous and tajine dishes since El Jaziri bought the large space in 1991. The heavily Muslim suburbs around Paris and other cities, or banlieues as they are known, have spawned a remarkable number of soccer stars.

Morocco go take on di reigning champions, France for di Al Bayt Stadium for dia semi-final match.

Di last team to make their debut for dis stage na Spain for 2010, wey beat Germany 1-0 to reach the final. Dem dey do short short passes wey make am hard for dia opponent to collect di ball. But Hugo Lloris save am for di last second. Di ball don comot from pitch and na goal kick for France. France 1-0 Morocco France vs Morocco Line-up 15' Hakim Ziyech (Morocco) cross di ball into di box from di free kick but dem clear am. 45+1 Hakim Ziyech of Morocco launch beta cross from corner but France clear di ball witout any wahala. France 2-0 Morocco 90+4 Sofiane Amrabat of Morocco cross di ball into di box but France defender clear di threat. 46' Substitution for Morocco 54' Yahya Attiat-Allah of Morocco pass di ball into di box but dem clear am.

SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green locked in his 2022 World Cup picks and predictions for Morocco vs. France in Wednesday's semifinal match.

- France vs. Green has broken down this semifinal from every angle. Les Bleus have not kept a single clean sheet at the tournament, and the defense looked very shaky in the quarterfinal against England. They also have won more tackles (104 to 98) and interceptions (51 to 49) and have conceded fewer shots outside the box (16 to 20). Filling in for the injured N'Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba, the 22-year-old Tchouameni has played a team-high 411 minutes and has completed a tournament-high 93.2% of his passes. Les Bleus have the offensive firepower to unlock the Moroccan defense. France are the -180 favorite (risk $180 to win $100) in the latest France vs. [You can head to SportsLine now to see Green's picks](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/2022-world-cup-france-vs-morocco-odds-picks-predictions-best-bets-for-wednesdays-semifinal-from-proven-soccer-expert/#ttag=12122022_agg_cbssports_picks_soccer_worldcup_martingreen_FranceMorocco). [2022 World Cup picks](https://www.sportsline.com/fifa-wc/picks/) and predictions. After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Reigning World Cup champion France can return to the World Cup final for the second straight tournament when Les Bleus square off against Morocco in a semifinal at the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday. Before you lock in your Morocco vs.

Morocco's remarkable run through global soccer's biggest and best teams reaches a new level. Follow live.

By now, who even remembers all the players — from Paul Pogba to N’Golo Kanté, Christopher Nkunku to Karim Benzema — unavailable for France? Qatar requires fans coming from outside the Gulf region to obtain a Hayya card, a fan ID, before entering the country. With flair and elegance, France has rampaged through the tournament, losing only to Tunisia in a group-stage match in which Les Bleus started a group of tourists from Montignac-Lascaux. The last was Brazil, which actually made three straight, from 1994-2002. He’s also in need of a shoelace; the one he has is ripped, which may be evidence he is not fabricating his grievances. At the final whistle, Regragui’s players collapsed on to their backs, all of the air drawn from them. Even Kolo Muani’s goal, tapped home from close range with his first touch of the ball, did not draw the sting. Morocco did not stutter when a single misjudgment, a little excessive zeal from the central defender Jawad El Yamiq, allowed France to prize an opening goal — finished off by Théo Hernandez — after only five minutes. It was in Qatar that Morocco, according to its coach, Walid Regragui, redefined the limits of “what was possible.” It was here that Morocco became the first team from the Arab world to make a World Cup quarterfinal. From this point on, a whole slew of achievements will all be the first since Morocco. AL KHOR, Qatar — The drums kept on beating.

Morocco face the biggest test in their fairy-tale World Cup run when they take on holders France in the semifinals. Didier Deschamps' side battled to a 2-1 ...

Bono (GK) — 2. (4-3-3): 1. Lloris (GK) — 5. Marseille (FRA) Monaco (FRA) Here are the names on the Argentina and Croatia World Cup squads in Qatar. Expect to see a familiar lineup once again against Morocco. Mbappe — 9. Rabiot — 11. Hernandez — 8. "Everyone is ready to play; it doesn't matter if they play for a while, or if they come in every game. Having also accounted for Spain and Belgium at this tournament, can they spring their biggest upset yet and claim the scalp of another heavyweight European side?

Live updates from the World Cup 2022 semifinal between France and Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium.

France are taking on Morocco for a spot in the Qatar FIFA World Cup final. Follow live updates.

Kylian Mbappe picked up the ball at the top of Morocco's box and mazed through a several challenges before hitting a shot goalward. The Moroccan sensed his chance and leaped to hit a near perfect overhead bicycle kick which clattered off the left hand post. France has beaten Morocco 2-nil in their Qatar World Cup semi-final to advance to a star-studded final against Argentina.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup final is set after France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the semifinals. Here were the top plays!

[ FIFA World Cup 2022](/stories/soccer/world-cup-2022-5-most-memorable-upsets-of-the-tourney) ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app](https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup-men-l61-vs-l62-dec-17-2022-game-boxscore-97040)). ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app](https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup-men-w61-vs-w62-dec-18-2022-game-boxscore-97096)), while Morocco will take on [Croatia](https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/croatia-men-team) on Saturday in the third-place game ( [10 a.m. With a win, France would be just the fifth defending champ to reach the World Cup final, joining 1938 Italy, 1962 Brazil, 1990 Argentina and 1998 Brazil. Morocco is hoping this match is different from the past, however, as France is unbeaten in their five previous matchups (3-2-0). [ FIFA World Cup 2022](/stories/soccer/france-aiming-to-complete-own-fairytale-amid-messis-legendary-quest) [ FIFA World Cup 2022](/stories/soccer/whos-deeper-france-or-argentina-our-ultimate-world-cup-xi) [CONMEBOL](https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/wcq-conmebol) and [UEFA](https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/wcq-uefa) to reach the World Cup final. [ FIFA World Cup 2022](/stories/soccer/world-cup-2022-odds-how-to-bet-argentina-france-final) It was only the second goal Morocco has allowed in this World Cup, and the first was an own goal. That score would be the final result of the match. The French are now the fifth defending champions to reach the World Cup final, joining 1938 Italy, 1962 Brazil, 1990 Argentina, 1998 Brazil.

Defending world champions end Morocco's World Cup dreams and book their place in the final.

His shot bounced off Abde Ezzalzouli into the path of Muani, who tapped it in. Mbappe managed to pick up a loose Moroccan pass in midfield, bringing it into a congested Moroccan box. It was the first goal Morocco had conceded to an opposition player at the World Cup in Qatar. At the break, France were ahead but Morocco’s Atlas Lions were the ones roaring. Hakim Ziyech shot wide in the 15th minute after a sweet breakaway from Morocco’s box. This was comfortably dealt with by Lloris but gave the Moroccans a sense of momentum.

Get a report of the France vs. Morocco 2022 FIFA World Cup, Semifinals football match.

[Jawad El Yamiq](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/232461/Jawad-El-Yamiq)'s audacious overhead kick nearly drew Morocco level at the end of the first half, but Lloris just palmed the ball away from danger as France held on to their 1-0 lead. I'm very happy," Macron told reporters after the match. We didn't get into the game well, we had too much technical waste in the first half, and the second goal kills us. But that doesn't take away everything we did before." We did a good job, it was hard, but we are in the final. "Playing two World Cup finals in a row is an incredible moment.

A 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal pitting France against Morocco on Wednesday night will be more than just a football match. In Paris, the Champs-Elysees is ...

[Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Everyone is afraid and we don't want the Champs-Elysees to turn into a battlefield!" French supporters joined them to share their joy, delighted to enjoy the success of the Blues against England. "When we want to celebrate victory, we don't come with mortars ... While most of merchants decided to close their doors early as a precaution for fear of repeating the last Saturday scenario after the qualification of the Moroccan and French teams. In Paris, the Champs-Elysees is expected to be the place for celebration.