Aurelien Tchouameni’s thunderbolt while OliverGiroud’s header either aspect of a correct Kane penalty got the duty in hot water for France, though Bleus supporters were eased and shocked in equal measures once the England captain blazed a second spot kick over the post.
France additionally had to survive a late Marcus Rashford place kick that smuggled onto the roof of the net, and referee Wilton carpet Sampaio found himself at the center of contention too, however a place within the semi-final was whole merited for a Bleus side whose aspirations of consecutive titles are still alive.
Les Bleus didn’t win any of their 1st 3 world cup tournament semi-finals, however they need since prevailed on their last 3 occasions in 1998, 2006 and 2018, and it’s been eighty four years since a European nation managed to succeed in the planet final as ruling champions – the Italian luminaries of 1934 and 1938 were the foremost recent to try to to therefore.
By acquiescence to Kane from the spot, France ensured that they’d still be without a tournament 2022 clean sheet sooner than their semi-final with Morocco, who against this definitely apprehend a factor or 2 regarding keeping opposing players tired, even with defensive alterations being forced upon them.
No matter what transpired at the Al Bayt Stadium on weekdays, the present Morocco crop have already cemented their place in national and continental traditional knowledge because the first-ever country to succeed in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Being forced to cope whithout Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui whereas meeting a Portugal aspect who hit Switzerland for 6 wasn’t what the doctor ordered for Walid Regragui, however his stand-ins performed praiseworthy to stay A Selecao treed, and a Youssef En-Nesyri header was all it took for the Atlas Lions to create African history.
Having taken most spoils against 3 international behemoths in Belgium, Spain and Portugal, Morocco would be worthy finalists, and therefore the Atlas Lions enter the semi-final having remarkably prevented opposing players from marking within the entire tournament up to now.
TEAM NEWS
France entered the ultimate four with no contemporary injury or suspension considerations to handle, though some felt that Theo Hernandez’s barge on Mason Mount for Kane’s second spot kick secured quite simply a yellow card.
The Bleus XI picks itself now, with Jules Kounde firmly oystering Benjamin Pavard within the right-back position and Theo Hernandez doing a competent job within the absence of his stricken brother screenwriter Hernandez, who suffered a torn ACL in their opening match with Australia.
France’s uncomparable leading male goalscorer Giroud might become the oldest player in history to attain 5 goals in a very single tourney ought to he create net ripple here, and whereas Kylian Mbappe was unbroken comparatively quiet by England, Les Bleus have currently won all ten world cup games during which the 23-year-old has started.
Meanwhile, Morocco striker Walid Cheddira received 2 yellow cards in quick succession against Portugal and can be suspended for the semi-final, however the 24-year-old was never expected to push for a beginning berth.
West Ham United’s Aguerd incomprehensible the quarter-final persuade Portugal once sustaining associate striated muscle injury against France within the last sixteen, however Regragui can pull out all the stops to own him obtainable once Romain Saiss had to be stretchered off on weekday because of associate in progress hamstring issue.
Saiss has said that he can do everything in his power to be suited to the semi-final, wherever Mazraoui might additionally force his method into the fray from a hip skeletal muscle downside, and Hakim Ziyech can expect to be fine despite additionally being forced off over the weekend.
However, Regragui will rest straightforward once witnessing the determined performances of Yahia Attiyat Supreme Being and Jawad El Yamiq against Portugal, and a minimum of one in every of the couple ought to be needed in some capacity here.
France attainable beginning lineup:
Lloris
Kounde
Varane
Upamecano
T. Hernandez
Tchouameni
Rabiot
Dembele
Griezmann
Mbappe
Giroud
Morocco attainable beginning lineup:
Bono
Hakimi
El Yamiq
Aguerd
Mazraoui
Ounahi
Amrabat
Amallah
Ziyech
En-Nesyri
Boufal
MOROCCO VS FRANCE PREDICTION
France faces Morocco in a very David and Goliath battle on weekdays, with the French reaching this stage once beating European nations on weekdays. In truth, they were the best team on the night and relied on Harry Kane missing a penalty to win it, however they still showed their category by scoring 2 decisive goals.
As for Morocco, no one expected them to succeed in this stage of the World Cup, beating Belgium, Spain, and Portugal on their way to the match — and there’s no method you’ll be able to say they won’t be.
Wednesday’s game sees a large game of the planet face the plucky unsuccessful person, however I’m unhappy to mention that the party for Morocco can shortly come back to detail.
The Moroccans are fidgeting with unimaginable intensity, each physically and showing emotion. From an emotional point of view, it’s about to be arduous to boost their levels yet again once 2 of the foremost picture victories in tourney history against Spain and Portugal. We frequently see groups struggle once doing one thing historic and to try to do it once more would be extraordinary.
Then there’s fatigue. Now, Morocco is walking wounded. Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd each incomprehensible the persuade Portugal and will come, however they’ll still be carrying knocks.
The heroic Romain Saiss was stretched off once another central defensive masterclass and they’ll be way weaker while not him. Then you have got Walid Cheddira who can miss this game through suspension. to not mention all the opposite players who are through the games and are battered and contused.
France have such quality across the pitch, however notably in assaultive positions that they’ll win this with ease. Whereas several assume it may be shut, I’m of the assumption that it’s one step too far for Morocco and they’ll lose by multiple goals.