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France vs Morocco – World Cup semi-final: Team news, possible lineups & prediction.
France is on course to defend their World Cup title as the emphasis switches to Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final versus Morocco with an extra edge.
Innovators from Africa In the semi-final on Wednesday at the Al Bayt Stadium, Morocco will try to extend its remarkable World Cup 2022 trip. They will be put to the ultimate test against the title holders France.
The Atlas Lions defeated Portugal 1-0 to go to the final four, while Les Bleus defeated a tenacious England team 2-1 to keep their ambitions of winning back-to-back championships alive. The winner of the title bout will face either Argentina or Croatia.
The team led by Didier Deschamps has overcome rumours of discord, an abundance of injuries, and the curse of the reigning champions to advance to the final four, surviving a major scare from a determined England team in the quarterfinals.
With a masterfully orchestrated 1-0 quarterfinal victory, Morocco—dubbed “the team that everyone loves in this World Cup” by manager Walid Regragui—added Portugal to the list of European opponents they have defeated in Qatar.
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Team News:
Although some football fans believed that Theo Hernandez’s shove on Mason Mount for Kane’s second penalty kick deserved more than just a yellow card, France does not have any new injury or suspension worries to deal with heading into the final four.
Jules Kounde firmly replaces Benjamin Pavard in the right-back position in the current Bleus XI, and Theo Hernandez fills in well for his injured brother Lucas Hernandez, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the team’s opening match against Australia.
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While Kylian Mbappe was largely kept in check by England, Les Bleus have now won all 10 World Cup games in which the 23-year-old has started. France’s all-time leading male scorer, Giroud, could become the oldest player in history to score five goals in a single World Cup if he makes the net ripple here.
Walid Cheddira, a striker for Morocco, was sent off twice in rapid succession against Portugal and will miss the semi-final, but the 24-year-old was never anticipated to compete for a starting position.
Aguerd of West Ham United missed the quarterfinal victory over Portugal after suffering an adductor injury in the round of 16 match against France. However, Regragui will make every effort to have him available after Romain Saiss had to be carried off on Saturday due to a persistent hamstring problem.
Saiss has stated that he will exert every effort to be ready for the semi-final, while Mazraoui may force his way back into the action due to a hip flexor injury and Hakim Ziyech will anticipate being fine despite also being forced to leave the match over the weekend.
However, Regragui may rest comfortably knowing that Yahia Attiyat Allah and Jawad El Yamiq gave determined performances against Portugal, and at least one of the pair should be needed in some capacity today.
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Possible Lineup:
France’s possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
Morocco’s possible starting lineup:
Bono; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
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Score Prediction:
Prediction: France 1-1 Morocco (Penalty will decide)