- France faces Morocco in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
- Copa America champions beat 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday.
- France are big favorites to win at the Al Bayt Stadium.
France faces Morocco in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, with Lionel Messi’s Argentina waiting.
Copa America champions beat 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday, giving Messi a chance to end his career in style.
Champions-defending France can become the first team in 60 years to successfully defend the trophy with a win against Morocco.
France are big favorites to win at the Al Bayt Stadium, but they face a team that has only conceded once in their march to the semi-finals.
Hugo Lloris wants France to avoid complacency after years of tournament success.
“When a squad can overcome Belgium, Spain, and Portugal and finish first in their group, they have a lot of quality on and off the field,” Lloris remarked.
It will be a hostile venue with formidable opponents.
France is close to winning its third World Cup in seven seasons, but no team has regained the title since Pele’s Brazil in 1962.
World champions may struggle against Morocco.
They overcame Spain on penalties and knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Morocco is the first African and Arab team to reach a World Cup semi-final.
Popularity
More than a million Moroccans live in France, Morocco’s former colonial power.
On Wednesday, their not-so-secret weapon will be stadium and Arab world fans.
Deschamps: “They have popular support.” “My players know it’ll be loud. They’re prepared.”
Walid Regragui, who was born near Paris and played in France, believes his team is the neutral’s favorite.
He insists his team isn’t just there for numbers.
If reaching the semi-finals is enough for some, Regragui disagrees.
“If you’re not hungry in the semi-finals, there’s a problem.”
“Brazil is already eliminated. We’re ambitious and hungry, but I’m not sure that’s enough “Adding,
Messi scored a penalty against Croatia on Tuesday to tie Kylian Mbappe for the lead in goals with five.
Julian Alvarez extended Argentina’s lead before halftime following two lucky bounces.
Messi set up Alvarez for his second goal in the 69th minute, killing the game and giving the 35-year-old another crack at history after losing to Germany in 2014.
“Argentina is in the final again. Thanks! “Argentine legend.
“We’ve had good and bad times. Today is amazing.”
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