FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022: France vs Morocco Match Preview And Prediction - semi-final 14/12/2022

Considering their position in the world of football, Morocco has been outstanding this tournament. With just one goal allowed, they actually have by far the greatest defensive record in the competition.

More impressively, this one goal came in a victory over Canada where they only managed to concede an own goal. Simply put, no opposition player is yet to score against them this World Cup.

Not many predicted Morocco would even get out of the group stages, given how Croatia and Belgium also met with them in that group. Nevertheless, they topped their group and only dropped points to Croatia in a 0-0 draw.

The Atlas Lions then met with one of the favourites for the tournament, Spain, in the round of 16. A lack of attacking effort from both sides forced a 0-0 draw, but Morocco won on penalties after Spain failed to score any of their first three.

The African side then met with Portugal after Cristiano Ronaldo and co. smashed Switzerland 6-1 in their round of 16 match.

Youssef En-Nesyri scored a fantastic header for his country after Diogo Costa failed to collect the ball. Walid Cheddira did also come onto the pitch and was later sent off for two yellow cards and now misses this game.

As for France, they were clinical against England in a game where they were not necessarily the better side. Harry Kane’s late penalty miss meant Olivier Giroud’s goal in the 78th minute was a winner after Aurelien Tchouameni scored in the first half.

France saw much less of the ball that day than England, and with the Three Lions having eight shots on target and 16 efforts in total, they managed to prove a lot of weakness in the French side, especially through midfield.