World Cup defending champions France will look to make it back-to-back World Cup finals when they face Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.
Venue: Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor)
Key Statistics
France have recorded just one clean sheet across their last 11 internationals.
France are the only side left in the tournament yet to record a clean sheet, falling behind or conceding an equaliser in four of their five games.
They have lost three of their last six World Cup games against African nations.
Morocco are unbeaten in their last 12 games (W9, D3).
No opposition player has scored past them in nine straight internationals.
World Cup trivia: Frenchman Just Louis Fontaine still holds the record for most goals scored in a single tournament with an incredible 13-goal haul as France finished in third back in 1958.
Head to head
This will be the first competitive meeting between both sides.
Latest performances in all competitions
France: W-W-L-W-W
Morocco: W-W-W-W-D
France
France will look to make history on Wednesday when they face history makers Morocco in Al Khor.
The World champions ensured that it’s certainly not coming home with a hard-fought 2-1 win over England in their quarter-final.
Speaking after the game Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps admitted that his side “got lucky” against England.
He may need yet another slice of luck in this game given that France have lost three of their last six World Cup games against African nations, including a 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in this edition.
But the World Cup holders should fancy their chances in this game given the incredible attacking talents within their ranks. PSG starman Kylian Mbappé who has five goals and two assists, alongside the record-breaking scorer Olivier Giroud (G4) can be trusted to break down a stubborn Morocco defence.
However, Les Bleus have a poor record in defence as they are the only side left in the tournament yet to record a clean sheet, falling behind or conceding an equaliser in four of their five games.
Possible France starting line-up
Hugo Lloris, Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez, Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembélé, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud.
Injured: Lucas Hernandez
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Morocco
After slaying Spain in the round of 16, Morocco slaughtered another European heavyweight last time out when they beat Portugal 1-0.
The win means that they have become the first African nation to make it to the semi-finals of a World Cup. So they will come into this tie buoyed and hungry to make another history by becoming the first African side to get to the final of the FIFA event.
Speaking after their win over Portugal, head coach Walid Regragui branded Morocco the “Rocky of this World Cup”. That movie reference seems like a fair assessment given that the Atlas Lions have been outsiders in all but one of their five World Cup games, the 2-1 win over Canada.
Solid defensive play and great game management has underpinned their run to the last four of this tournament. So far, the North Africans have conceded just one goal in Qatar while no opposition player has scored past them in nine straight internationals.
Another defensive masterclass from them and the impeccable Yassine Bono might be enough to give them a win given that they have failed to score only three times in their last 12 games.
Possible Morocco starting line-up
Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Jawad El Yamiq, Yahya Attiat-Allah, Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal.
Injured: Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd, Noussair Mazraoui
Doubtful: Hakim Ziyech
Suspended: Walid Cheddira
Odds
| Odds-France | Odds-Morocco | % France | % Morocco | |
| To qualify | 1.220 | 4.330 | 77.09 | 22.91 |
| In 90 mins | 1.530 | 7.500 | 60.20 | 12.28 |
| In Extra-time | 10.000 | 26.000 | 9.21 | 3.54 |
| In Penalty | 12.000 | 13.000 | 7.68 | 7.09 |
Prediction
France 2-1 Morocco
Live Stream
For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream
