Dec 14, 2022
France went into the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar as the defending champions and have made sure that their grasp on the trophy is not weakened. Whereas, Morocco has been the biggest surprise package, becoming the first African nation to reach the last four.
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France's World Cup campaign got off to a fantastic start when they defeated Australia 4-1. Things got even better when they defeated Denmark 2-1 to book their ticket to the knockout stage. But things went off script a little in their last league game, which they lost to Tunisia 0-1. Despite the loss, Les Bleus faced Poland in the round of 16, who they beat 3-1. They then knocked out 1966 champions England in the quarter-finals.
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France started their title defence by beating Australia 4-1 in their first group match. In that game, France showed how dangerous they can be. Though Australia took the lead inside 10 minutes, France hit back almost immediately. Adrien Rabiot scored one, Olivier Giroud scored a brace with goals in the 32nd and 71st minutes and Kylian Mbappe scored in the 68th minute, as Les Bleus won the match with a three goal cushion.
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Denmark was coming off a 0-0 draw against Tunisia. In the 61st minute, French forward Kylian Mbappe scored a stunning goal which gave France the lead. But after a few minutes, Andreas Christensen of Denmark scored in the 68th minute of the game. The game was a bit of a see-saw battle, which saw another goal in the 86th minute, courtesy of Kylian Mbappe which ended all hopes for the Danish and took France to the Round of 16.
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In their last league game, France had a nightmare outing, going down to Tunisia. In the Education City Stadium, it was going very well for the African nation as they were able to stop France from wreaking havoc in the 1st half. In the second Tunisia shifted gears. In the 58th minute, With a stunning display of dribbling, Wahbi Khazri scored an iconic goal for his country and stunned the defending champions.
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In the Round of 16, Robert Lewandowski’s side faced the defending champions. France were quiet till the 44th minute, when Kylian Mbappe’s charismatic assist to Olivier Giroud saw the first goal being scored. Mbappe then took matters into his own hands, scoring twin goals in the 74th and 90 1 minutes. Lewandowski pulled one back in the 90 9th minute off a penalty, but France wrapped up a 3-1 win.
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The defending champs France were taking on what many felt was the best English team in decades. Aurelien Tchouameni drew first blood. In the second half, England got a penalty which Harry Kane converted. Both teams were going head-to-head until France’s all-time highest goal scorer Giroud (53 goals) smashed a goal in the 78th minute. Kane missed a penalty kick, which could have tied the game. Instead France romped into the semis.
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The team no one saw coming. They tied their first game against Croatia. Then they stunned perennial dark horses Belgium 2-0 and continued the same momentum against the Canadians in their last league game. In the round-16, Morocco dismantled 2010 champions Spain’s hope 3-0 in a jaw-dropping penalty shoot-out and knocked them out of the World Cup. In the quarter-finals they accounted for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, knocking them out with a 1-0 result.
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Morocco started their campaign against 2018 runners-up Croatia. Luka Modric’s Croatia were red hot favourites to win the game, but Morocco’s defense ensured Modric’s men couldn't score. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
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Belgium, ranked No.2 in this world were in for a rude shock. Romain Saiss opened Morocco’s account, giving them the early lead. Zakaria Aboukhlal then struck a 90 minute goal which shattered Belgian hopes. Lukaku had the opportunity to strike twice but unfortunately both shots went in vain as Morocco clinched a massive victory against the Red Devils.
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Hakim Ziyech scored one of the quickest goals of the tournament within 4 minutes. Youssef En-Nesyri then smashed another goal in the 23rd minute. Via an own-Goal by Nayef Aguerd, Canada got one consolation goal, but that wasn't enough to stop Morocco.
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Morocco were facing the 2010 champions Spain who were of course the favourites. Both teams were goal-less after 120 minutes. In the penalty shoot-out, the Education City Stadium was lit up by a mouth-watering shootout. Incredible goal keeping skills by Yassine Bounou ensured the Spanish just couldn't score any goal. Morocco meanwhile scored thrice to wrap up a stunning 3-0 win on penalties and enter the quarters.
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Another giant killing act beckoned Morocco here. And they made no mistake again. With Cristiano Ronaldo starting on the bench, En-Nesyri went on to score an iconic goal in the 42nd minute of the game and that turned out to be the decisive strike. Portugal couldn't equalise and were knocked out as Morocco entered the last four and booked a date with defending champions France.
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The two sides will lock horns for the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup.
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France have got an arsenal of match winners like Mbappe, Giroud and Griezmann whereas the promising Moroccan side have got promising match-winning players like Ziyech, Hakimi and their fantastic goal-keeper Bounou.
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