New Delhi: With Argentina already in finals, France and Morocco are ready to face each other in the second semi-finals on December 15 at 12:20 am IST. While it is a game on the field, it is also a clash between a coloniser and a colonised as France ruled over Morocco till 1956. Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi were seen sharing friendly notes on social media, but they will surely stand as rivals in the semis.
Morocco ended the campaign for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the quarterfinals and France did the same against England to enter the semis. The defending champions were expected to do well by Mbappe and Olivier Giroud in form, it was Morocco who had some stunning victories to reach this stage.
Both the teams are meeting on the field after 2007 and France is considered to be the favourites to win the match. With Mbappe scoring five goals in five and Giroud at four, the French front line looks sharp. On the other hand, Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is having an amazing World Cup. Bounou has shown some mindblowing saves in Qatar and has led his team to three clean sheets in four games, with only conceding one goal.
Morocco has a good defensive line, which helped them go past the Portugal challenge, but it would be difficult with their defenders Nayef Aguerd and Romain Saiss injured. Moroccan forward Walid Cheddira will also miss the big game due to a suspension. Keeping the team news and the current form in mind, France seems likely to play Argentina in the finals, however, one cannot completely write off Morocco.
