One spot in the FIFA World Cup final has been confirmed, as Argentina awaits one of France or Morocco on Sunday at the Lusail Stadium.
Argentina booked their place in the grand event as they outclassed Croatia by three goals to nil.
The second semi-final at Qatar 2022 pits David vs Goliath as the World Cup holders take on the tournament underdogs.
France are the first reigning world champions to reach the semi-finals of the tournament since Brazil in 1998. The two-time World Cup winners sealed their place in the last-four as they narrowly overcame a strong England outfit.
Morocco have made history as the first Arab or African nation to reach the semis of the World Cup and nothing will stop them from believing they can go one step further.
European heavyweights Belgium, Spain, and Portugal have all tasted defeat at the hands of the Moroccans at Qatar 2022, but Les Bleus will be looking to curb that run and send the Atlas Lions crashing out of the tournament.
🇲🇦 Morocco at the 2022 World Cup:
— 365Scores (@365Scores) December 10, 2022
✅ Finished first in a group with Croatia and Belgium
✅ Eliminated Spain in the last 16
✅ Eliminated Portugal in the quarter-final.#MAR | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/atydwZlKgw
France and Morocco have previously met five times on a football pitch, though never at a competitive knockout tournament nor anywhere near the magnitude of a World Cup semi-final tie.
Aside from those within their own following, France may find a large pool will be rooting against them in favour of the underdogs. Not only in a sporting context, but the North African nation also has historical incentives to get one over its former colonisers.
More than half of Walid Regragui’s 26-man squad was born outside of Morocco, with two of them (Romain Saïss and Soufiane Boufal) born on French soil.
Romain Saïss and Noussair Mazraoui are expected to be fit for this encounter after both defenders picked up knocks against Portugal. Nayef Aguerd, meanwhile, is ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi are most familiar with one another and it is no secret the duo have grown a close relationship during their time together at Paris St-Germain.
Not only are the PSG teammates due to oppose one another at Al Bayt Stadium on Tuesday, but they are also direct opponents with Morocco right-back Hakimi set to keep a close watch on France left-forward Mbappé the joint-top scorer at Qatar 2022.
According to the bookies, Mbappé is the leading contender to get on the scoresheet this evening 4.00 for first scorer, or 2.20 anytime. His strike partner Olivier Giroud is 5.50 to score the opening goal or 2.90 to net anytime on the night.
France are 1.53 to win and advance to the World Cup final on Sunday. Morocco are priced 7.00 to overcome Les Bleus and rewrite the history books further; 4.00 odds for the contest to end level after 120 minutes and be decided on penalties.
(Bet365)
