Morocco’s Bilal El Khannouss and Achraf Hakimi (centre) take part in a training session. (PICS: AFP)
Doha, Qatar: Four years after their dream run in Qatar was ended by France in the World Cup semi-finals, Morocco return to familiar territory with a different status and a bigger belief.
The Atlas Lions left the 2022 tournament as the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, winning admiration across the globe despite falling short of a place in the final. They were the surprise package then. Today, they arrive as a team that has earned its place among football’s elite.
When Morocco face France in a highly anticipated quarter-final at Boston Stadium today, with kick-off at 11pm Qatar time, the contest will not be about an underdog chasing another fairytale. It will be a battle between two established contenders fighting for a place in the last four.
France remain favourites but Morocco have already proved they can compete with the best.
Didier Deschamps’ side have maintained the standards expected of a title contender throughout the tournament. Les Bleus swept through Group I with victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway before easing past Sweden in the Round of 32. Their narrow 1-0 win over Paraguay in the last 16 showed another dimension to the French team as they displayed patience and resilience when their attacking quality alone was not enough.
Morocco’s journey has required greater character as they began with a creditable draw against Brazil before defeating Scotland and Haiti to secure second place in Group C. The Atlas Lions then survived a dramatic penalty shootout against the Netherlands after Issa Diop’s late equaliser forced extra time, before producing one of their strongest performances of the tournament in a convincing 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada to reach a second successive World Cup quarter-final.
“We’re no longer a surprise today, and that’s a great source of pride,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said after the victory over Canada.
“I think this is only the beginning and I hope we’ll keep producing this kind of run for many years.”
Ouahbi has also played down suggestions that revenge is motivating his team following their semi-final defeat to France in Qatar.
“We want to go as far as possible and make our people proud,” he said.
France, meanwhile, continue to rely heavily on the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe. The captain has scored seven goals in the tournament, placed among the leading contenders in the Golden Boot race, while his penalty against Paraguay took his World Cup tally to 19, leaving him just two behind Lionel Messi’s record of 21. With Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, creative playmaker Michael Olise and a wealth of attacking options around him, Mbappe leads one of the most dangerous forward lines in the competition.
Morocco, however, have the defensive structure and discipline to challenge any opponent.
France’s players take part in a training session.
Yassine Bounou has once again produced impressive performances on the biggest stage, while Achraf Hakimi remains one of the tournament’s standout right-backs.
Azzedine Ounahi rediscovered his scoring touch with two goals against Canada, although striker Ismael Saibari remains a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in the previous round.
The meeting between Hakimi and Mbappe will be one of the key battles in Boston.
The two players developed a close friendship during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain, but that relationship will be put aside when they meet on opposite sides with a World Cup semi-final place at stake.
Deschamps expects Morocco to provide a far tougher test than France have faced so far.
“Morocco are one of the best teams,” the France coach said. “We played them four years ago in Doha and they also got to the Africa Cup of Nations final.”
France will also have disciplinary concerns, with Bradley Barcola, Manu Kone and Olise all one booking away from missing a potential semi-final.
History is on Les Bleus’ side, with France winning two of the previous three meetings between the nations, including their memorable 2-0 victory in the Qatar 2022 semi-finals. The other match ended in a 2-2 draw.
But Morocco no longer arrive looking for recognition, and standing in their way is a France side chasing a third consecutive World Cup final appearance.
The prize is a place in Dallas, where either Spain or Belgium will await in the semi-finals.
