Reigning World Cup champs France square off with surprise package Morocco in a mouthwatering World Cup semifinal in Qatar.
[they’ve beaten Spain and Portugal in the knockout rounds](https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2022/12/11/morocco-vs-portugal-video-highlights-recap-reaction/), showcasing incredible grit, energy and quality as they are the total team unit. As for Morocco, their goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has been exceptional, so too has captain Romain Saiss (who is nursing a hamstring injury) while Achraf Hakimi, Sofiane Boufal and Hakim Ziyech give them real quality in wide areas. The only issue is that France has yet to keep a clean sheet and they do look vulnerable on the counter. They have made history as the first-ever African side to reach the final four and Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann are all stepping up at different moments and the French are gathering momentum. [squeaked past England in the quarterfinals](https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2022/12/11/england-vs-france-recap-final-score-video-highlights-harry-kane-penalty-video-goals/), as Les Bleus have looked shaky defensively but have so much quality in attack.
France and Morocco meet in the second semifinal of the 2022 World Cup on Dec. 14. Here's what you need to know about the match.
Winning the 2018 World Cup made him the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager. He has taken Morocco further than anyone imagined at this World Cup and thinks the team can still give more. It has averaged 32% possession in its five World Cup matches, the second-lowest of any team. This strategy has worked due to its near-impenetrable defense and the ability to counter-attack at pace with the dribbling skills of wingers Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal. It was effective against England and a similar approach worked at the World Cup in Russia four years ago. It showed this against England, which had 58% possession and twice as many shots as the World Cup holder. Changing the players has not changed the script – Morocco’s defense is very hard to break. The defense has also had to adapt. For a confidence boost, Hakimi should look no further than Mbappé, who described the Moroccan as the “best RB (right-back) in the world” in a January [tweet](https://twitter.com/KMbappe/status/1486074687838949379). Reigning champion France is aiming to become the first country to win back-to-back men’s World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. It is the outsider for this match but remains unbeaten, having secured against-the-odds wins over Spain and Portugal in the knockout stage. [keeping Mbappé quiet in the quarterfinal](https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertkidd/2022/12/09/world-cup-2022-quarter-final-stop-kylian-mbapp-and-england-has-hope-against-france/), with France relying on goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Olivier Giroud for the 2-1 victory.
Morocco have become the first ever African nation to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final following their victory against Portugal. They come up against reigning ...
We lost a lot of players before the World Cup. Of course, there is another tie to be played in the semi-final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. You can play our Opta Challenge game for a chance to win $500. Morocco have become the first ever African nation to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final following their victory against Portugal. It’s not a surprise now because we’ve seen them put in a number of top performances. “We can be satisfied with what we’ve done so far, even though we want to go further. “It’s a historic achievement. “It’s fantastic what [coach Walid Regragui] has achieved,” he added. Once again, Morocco are unlikely to have most of the ball, so the combativeness of players like Azzedine Ounahi and Amrabat in midfield could be key, particularly with Griezmann so influential in his new midfield position. We lost Amine [Harit], [Imran] Louza, [Adam] Masina… “Morocco have played and beaten some of the best teams in the world, and that’s down to the players, the coach, the staff. “We’ve got to the semis, closer to the final, and this was an important achievement, so we can believe in ourselves, but we have a big game on Wednesday,” he said.
The African nation have been in superb defensive form in the tournament and should provide stern opposition to the world champions.
[13/2 (7.50)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807). [12/1 (13.00)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807) to net first once more. [19/20 (1.95)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807) and this could well be a game decided by the odds goal. [13/2 (7.50)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807) while the game is offered at [14/5 (3.80)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807) to go to extra time. [3/1 (4.00)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807) to break the deadlock. [53/100 (1.53)](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01105807) to win in 90 minutes.
It is a do-or-die for France and Morocco in the competition. Both sides know they must win this match to advance to the competition's finals.
But with that, the other half of the globe is cheering for the competition’s underdogs. It is a do-or-die for France and Morocco in the competition. Netherlands game, half the world is cheering for Croatia to beat the South Americans.
Ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final clash between France and Morocco, Sports Mole looks at the head-to-head record between the two sides.
[Click here to read our full preview for France vs Morocco](/football/france/world-cup-2022/preview/preview-france-vs-morocco-prediction-team-news-lineups_501786.html) [How France could line up against Morocco](/football/france/world-cup-2022/predicted-lineups/how-france-could-line-up-against-morocco_501787.html) [How Morocco could line up against France](/football/morocco/world-cup-2022/predicted-lineups/how-morocco-could-line-up-against-france_501788.html) [World Cup 2022: Reasons for France to be confident of beating Morocco](/football/france/world-cup-2022/feature/world-cup-2022-reasons-for-france-to-be-confident-of-beating-morocco_501889.html) [World Cup 2022: Reasons for Morocco to be confident of beating France](/football/france/world-cup-2022/feature/world-cup-2022-reasons-for-morocco-to-be-confident-of-beating-france_501890.html) [World Cup 2022: Why to expect Mbappe to score against Morocco](/football/france/world-cup-2022/feature/world-cup-2022-why-to-expect-mbappe-to-score-against-morocco_501892.html) September 4, 1975: France 1-1 Morocco (Mediterranean Games) [World Cup](/football/world-cup/) final, [Morocco](/football/morocco/) take on reigning champions [France](/football/france/) in Wednesday's semi-final at the Al Bayt Stadium.
The defending champions are big favourites against their African opponents and Les Bleus should be backed for the victory.
Morocco (+650) Back France to win this match in a shutout. Morocco have yet to have an opposing player score against them in the entire tournament, with the only goal they conceded being an own goal in their match against Canada. Under 2.5 (-165) France beat European-rival England in the quarter-finals and are now the favorites to lift the cup this year. Draw (+270)
SportsLine's soccer model simulated France vs. Morocco and locked in its 2022 FIFA World Cup picks and predictions for Wednesday's semifinal.
- France vs. France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup? And which side has all the value? Hakimi is the World Cup leader with 17 tackles, and Mazraoui is tied for fourth with 13. The 31-year-old has 29 clean sheets in 48 career starts for Morocco and has a 75.6 save percentage in six seasons in Spain's La Liga, the past four with Sevilla. Midfielder Antoine Griezmann also has been a critical piece as a box-to-box player, and he is third all-time in for France with 42 goals and has 26 assists. [2022 World Cup picks](https://www.sportsline.com/fifa-wc/picks/) and predictions. France are the -185 favorites (risk $185 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in the latest France vs. Les Bleus eked out a 2-1 victory against France on Saturday to make the semifinal for the third time in their past six World Cup appearances. The model was accurate on 56% of all picks during the Champions League group stage and returned more than $1,000 to $100 bettors on its A+ picks. A draw is priced at +295 and the over/under for total goals is set at 2.5. France remain on track to defend their title, but upstart Morocco have other plans as the teams get set to meet in a 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.
France is a betting favorite against Morocco on Wednesday in the 2022 World Cup, with a tie listed at +240. Sports betting sites also have props.
The 2018 world champs will face the stand-out team of the tournament for a place in the final. Will there be another upset?
But before going this far, they also finished the group stage in style, grabbing Group F’s top spot after defeating Belgium and Canada and drawing against Croatia. The draw is being paid at 5/2 (3.5). The odds suggest France is the nation with the better chance of qualifying for the semifinals, as the bookmakers consider Deschamps’ side has lots of talented players in all of their lines and with experience in Europe’s top leagues. That’s how far France and Morocco are from glory, as both nations have made it to the World Cup semifinals and will now battle it out for a spot in the last round of the tournament. Didier Deschamps, who won the tournament as a player in 1998, will try to carry France to victory, something Les Coqs have done in the last three semifinals they played in 1998, 2006, and 2018. Will there be another upset?
SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green locked in his 2022 World Cup picks and predictions for Morocco vs. France in Wednesday's semifinal match.
- France vs. Green has broken down this semifinal from every angle. Les Bleus have not kept a single clean sheet at the tournament, and the defense looked very shaky in the quarterfinal against England. They also have won more tackles (104 to 98) and interceptions (51 to 49) and have conceded fewer shots outside the box (16 to 20). Filling in for the injured N'Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba, the 22-year-old Tchouameni has played a team-high 411 minutes and has completed a tournament-high 93.2% of his passes. Les Bleus have the offensive firepower to unlock the Moroccan defense. France are the -180 favorite (risk $180 to win $100) in the latest France vs. [You can head to SportsLine now to see Green's picks](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/2022-world-cup-france-vs-morocco-odds-picks-predictions-best-bets-for-wednesdays-semifinal-from-proven-soccer-expert/#ttag=12122022_agg_cbssports_picks_soccer_worldcup_martingreen_FranceMorocco). [2022 World Cup picks](https://www.sportsline.com/fifa-wc/picks/) and predictions. After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Reigning World Cup champion France can return to the World Cup final for the second straight tournament when Les Bleus square off against Morocco in a semifinal at the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday. Before you lock in your Morocco vs.
All the details on how fans in Australia can watch the massive World Cup semifinal between France and Morocco.
SBS On Demand Be Part Of The Conversation [Take It To The Neds SBS Their defence has been fantastic, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou keeping another clean sheet and getting another man of the match award against Portugal. They have now defeated all of Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their giantkilling run.
Morocco plays France in the semi-finals of the Fifa World Cup today. What you may not know is that the two countries share a complex relationship; ...
In this way, “brain drain” is arguably one of the most pernicious outcomes of colonialism and a foremost neocolonial process. In doing so, it has attained a symbolic victory over the neocolonial process of “brain drain”. Yet, behind the heartwarming story of Guinean Paul Pogba scoring for France in the World Cup final, or Malian N’golo Kante running the French midfield, hides the story of how African nations failed to gain from the talents of their most talented players. The fact that all these players are playing for Morocco, instead of the countries they/their parents migrated to, is in itself a victory. With French education also came ideas of liberty and equality, both of which were missing in the seemingly peaceful and picturesque French colony. Conditions created under colonial rule as well as the world capitalist economy that continues to divide the world into a Global North and South on erstwhile colonial lines, are what drive migration across many ex-colonies. However, the contours of Morocco’s relationship with France in many ways reproduces old colonial hierarchies. Today, an estimated five million Moroccans live abroad, with the majority of the diaspora being located in Europe, especially in France. However, France did not touch the old cities of Morocco which were spiritual and cultural nerve centres for the population. The Atlas mountains run through its length, giving the Moroccan football team its moniker of “Atlas Lions.” However, today, the West’s (and perhaps the rest of the world’s) imagination of Morocco is intimately tied to its romantic depiction in the ageless classic “Casablanca”, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Between 1912 and 1956, most of modern day Morocco was [a French colony](https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/france-vs-morocco-colonial-history-makes-it-more-than-a-football-match-8323124/).
We've picked out a tasty 11/8 France vs Morocco prediction ahead of Wednesday's second semi-final final in the Al Bayt Stadium.
Given the quality of their attacking options, back France to be leading at half time and full time, which is a tasty 11/8 with Betfred. Morocco are sweating on the fitness of key cenrte-back and captain Romain Saiss who was stretchered off after 57 minutes on Saturday. [Betfred](https://promotions.betfred.com/#/affiliates/sports/football/world-cup-2022/bet-10-get-60?&siteid=104967&referrer=&click=414889388) It really is going to take something special to break this Morrocan defence down but in Kylian Mbappe, they face the most special of attacking talents. [France/France (HT/FT) - 11/8](https://promotions.betfred.com/#/affiliates/sports/football/world-cup-2022/bet-10-get-60?&siteid=104967&referrer=&click=414889388) So, too, do the bookmakers who make Les Blues just 8/15 (with
France are favourites by a mile, but for Morocco, they're just another giant to slay.
Watched by quite possibly billions of people, the World Cup final will be held on Sunday, Qatar’s national day, at Lusail Stadium. The winners, however, go on to sport’s biggest event. When in possession, they’ll be hoping to put the ball at the feet of Achraf Hakimi, Mbappe’s teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, to see if the star pairing can make a little more magic for Morocco. [Giroud](/news/2022/12/4/olivier-giroud-scores-52nd-goal-to-break-henrys-france-record) brings the calm experience to the attacking line; a wise head that the veteran can still use to devastating effect. Head coach Didier Deschamps is one of only three men to have won the World Cup both as a player and as a manager. Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui on Tuesday made clear that his side were going to try their best to pull off [another “upset”](/news/2022/12/13/morocco-manager-confident-hopes-to-upset-france-in-semifinal) in their fairytale run.
*What French captain said about Atlas Lions. By Onochie Anibeze, Doha. Everybody knows that France are favourites in Wednesday's semifinal clash with Atlas ...
Moroccan fans will outnumber those cheering France but the players will be the ones that will win the game. French fans will be many but Moroccan fans will be massive and noisy for the African heroes. Getting to the semifinal of the World Cup in this style is a story that will be told and retold to generations. They are in Qatar as champions but Morocco have become the news here. It is this belief and the wave from Arab world that have put everybody on the edge here in Qatar and beyond. This is precisely why Hugo Lloris, the French captain who keeps for Tottenham said some hours ago that one would be making a mistake to assume that France would be coasting to the final with ease.
Al Jazeera's AI robot Kashef has crunched the numbers and has some predictions for today's game.
Should manager Walid Regragui’s side do so, they have a 31 percent chance of lifting the trophy against Argentina at Lusail Stadium on December 18. With 61 matches completed, Kashef has a 67 percent accuracy level. Prediction: Sizing up all the odds, Kashef has once again concluded that Morocco face an uphill battle.
Defending World Cup champions France will hope to continue their repeat bid when they face a surprising Morocco side which has already gone further than any ...
2 hrs 40 mins from kickoff: France have broken a recent trend of defending champions not doing much in the way of defending their title. 1hr 15 mins from kickoff: And this is what the France team looks like. To redress the balance, here's Sofiane Boufal dancing with his mum. 1st minute: The game is underway. Mbappe cutting in from the left on this occasion. The attack stays alive and Giroud really should have his fifth of the competition as he shoots wide. He's down the France right now, does some stepovers but sends his cross into the side netting from a good position. His effort is half-blocked but it falls to Kolo Muani to tap home at the back post. The ball breaks on Azzedine Ounahi and his shot skids through the crowd to be blocked on the line by Jules Kounde. Didier Deschamps can become the first coach in history to win the World Cup twice. Bono (GK) — 2. The Paris Saint-Germain star had his first effort blocked and a second looped up off Oliver Giroud, with Hernandez alive to the possibilities as he found an acrobatic finish.
Morocco go take on di reigning champions, France for di Al Bayt Stadium for dia semi-final match.
Di last team to make their debut for dis stage na Spain for 2010, wey beat Germany 1-0 to reach the final. Dem dey do short short passes wey make am hard for dia opponent to collect di ball. But Hugo Lloris save am for di last second. Di ball don comot from pitch and na goal kick for France. France 1-0 Morocco France vs Morocco Line-up 15' Hakim Ziyech (Morocco) cross di ball into di box from di free kick but dem clear am. 45+1 Hakim Ziyech of Morocco launch beta cross from corner but France clear di ball witout any wahala. France 2-0 Morocco 90+4 Sofiane Amrabat of Morocco cross di ball into di box but France defender clear di threat. 46' Substitution for Morocco 54' Yahya Attiat-Allah of Morocco pass di ball into di box but dem clear am.
Defending World Cup champions France will hope to continue their repeat bid when they face a surprising Morocco side which has already gone further than any ...
2 hrs 40 mins from kickoff: France have broken a recent trend of defending champions not doing much in the way of defending their title. 1hr 15 mins from kickoff: And this is what the France team looks like. To redress the balance, here's Sofiane Boufal dancing with his mum. 1st minute: The game is underway. Mbappe cutting in from the left on this occasion. The attack stays alive and Giroud really should have his fifth of the competition as he shoots wide. He's down the France right now, does some stepovers but sends his cross into the side netting from a good position. His effort is half-blocked but it falls to Kolo Muani to tap home at the back post. The ball breaks on Azzedine Ounahi and his shot skids through the crowd to be blocked on the line by Jules Kounde. Didier Deschamps can become the first coach in history to win the World Cup twice. Bono (GK) — 2. The Paris Saint-Germain star had his first effort blocked and a second looped up off Oliver Giroud, with Hernandez alive to the possibilities as he found an acrobatic finish.
SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green locked in his 2022 World Cup picks and predictions for Morocco vs. France in Wednesday's semifinal match.
- France vs. Green has broken down this semifinal from every angle. Les Bleus have not kept a single clean sheet at the tournament, and the defense looked very shaky in the quarterfinal against England. They also have won more tackles (104 to 98) and interceptions (51 to 49) and have conceded fewer shots outside the box (16 to 20). Filling in for the injured N'Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba, the 22-year-old Tchouameni has played a team-high 411 minutes and has completed a tournament-high 93.2% of his passes. Les Bleus have the offensive firepower to unlock the Moroccan defense. France are the -180 favorite (risk $180 to win $100) in the latest France vs. [You can head to SportsLine now to see Green's picks](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/2022-world-cup-france-vs-morocco-odds-picks-predictions-best-bets-for-wednesdays-semifinal-from-proven-soccer-expert/#ttag=12122022_agg_cbssports_picks_soccer_worldcup_martingreen_FranceMorocco). [2022 World Cup picks](https://www.sportsline.com/fifa-wc/picks/) and predictions. After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Reigning World Cup champion France can return to the World Cup final for the second straight tournament when Les Bleus square off against Morocco in a semifinal at the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday. Before you lock in your Morocco vs.
However, Kylian Mbappe has led from the front along with the senior-most member of the squad and now France's all-time top-scorer, Olivier Giroud. The French ...
Or will Morocco use their solidity, and the support of an entire continent, to overcome the odds once more? However, Kylian Mbappe has led from the front along with the senior-most member of the squad and now France's all-time top-scorer, Olivier Giroud. France and Morocco in their own ways have exceeded the expectations spectators and experts had from them before the tournament.
The close friendship between Frances's Kylian Mbappe and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi will be set aside Wednesday evening as both friends are set to clash in the ...
I’m going to smash it,” Mbappe light-heartedly told the PSG TV on a training camp in Doha last summer. “Here, we (France) will play against my friend, I will have to destroy him. So far, Mbappe and Hakimi have enjoyed each other’s support.
However, Kylian Mbappe has led from the front along with the senior-most member of the squad and now France's all-time top-scorer, Olivier Giroud. The French ...
Or will Morocco use their solidity, and the support of an entire continent, to overcome the odds once more? However, Kylian Mbappe has led from the front along with the senior-most member of the squad and now France's all-time top-scorer, Olivier Giroud. France and Morocco in their own ways have exceeded the expectations spectators and experts had from them before the tournament.
After eliminating England with a breath-taking 2-1 win at the Al Bayt Stadium last week Saturday, France would want to surely do the same against Morocco but ...
35′ Mbappe with a chance to get a second but blocked, Giroud with a rebound but could not find the target HT Analysis: The game is far from being over. Although France could have wrapped up the game with the chances they squandered in the first half, it only offers Morocco the chance to pull off a comeback in the second half if only they sustain their tenacity and refuse a second goal from France.
Join us as Ousmane Dembele and Jules Kounde's Les Bleus look to end the Moroccan dream and reach the Final!
They are incredibly well coached and their most talented players have delivered in every big moment in Qatar, and there is no reason to believe they can’t do it one more time against the champs. Hernandez 5’): FRANCE TAKE THE LEAD! And this memorable World Cup filled with upsets could be in line for one more as defending champions France take on Morocco. Thuram finds Mbappé inside the box and after a series of moves his shot is deflected by a defender and Kolo Muani is quickest to the ball at the far post and fires it home! This one is definitely not over at the break, and the second half should be fun. France 2-0 Morocco (Muani 79’): FRANCE DOUBLE THE LEAD!
France take on Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in the World Cup 2022 semi-final. Theo Hernandez scored for France. El Yamiq overhead kick.
Mazraoui has a hip injury and Saiss wasn’t able to train fully in the week. It was Lewandowski’s Poland that faced France in the Round of 16. The European side beat the Socceroos 4-1 in their opening game of the tournament and then defeated Denmark 2-1 a few days later. Check out what makes Mbappé and Hakimi's friendship so special and how they are going to have to forget niceties as they go up against each other in the World Cup semi-final. 13,000 free tickets and 30 flights have been handed out to Moroccan fans so they can make the Al Bayt stadium a cauldron of noise! A lovely touch around the corner from the Atlético Madrid man opens the play and France go from left to right in an instant. He was in charge of Wydad last season and led them to their third CAF Champions League title before taking over the Morocco national side on 31 August. and to that list could probably already be added coach of the national team Walid Regragui. France have now dropped off them and are sitting on the halfway line. Bono and his team are also trying to find holes in the French system, but they still haven't found... Messi has the weight of a nation on his shoulders, and he's never looked more comfortable. Konaté comes in a hacks the ball away.
An early goal from Theo Hernandez and a late tap in from substitute Randal Kolo Muani earned defending champions France a hard-fought win over a valiant Morocco ...
[Jawad El Yamiq](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/232461/Jawad-El-Yamiq)'s audacious overhead kick nearly drew Morocco level at the end of the first half, but Lloris just palmed the ball away from danger as France held on to their 1-0 lead. I'm very happy," Macron told reporters after the match. We didn't get into the game well, we had too much technical waste in the first half, and the second goal kills us. But that doesn't take away everything we did before." We did a good job, it was hard, but we are in the final. "Playing two World Cup finals in a row is an incredible moment.
Get a report of the France vs. Morocco 2022 FIFA World Cup, Semifinals football match.
[Jawad El Yamiq](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/232461/Jawad-El-Yamiq)'s audacious overhead kick nearly drew Morocco level at the end of the first half, but Lloris just palmed the ball away from danger as France held on to their 1-0 lead. I'm very happy," Macron told reporters after the match. We didn't get into the game well, we had too much technical waste in the first half, and the second goal kills us. But that doesn't take away everything we did before." We did a good job, it was hard, but we are in the final. "Playing two World Cup finals in a row is an incredible moment.
Defending world champions end Morocco's World Cup dreams and book their place in the final.
His shot bounced off Abde Ezzalzouli into the path of Muani, who tapped it in. Mbappe managed to pick up a loose Moroccan pass in midfield, bringing it into a congested Moroccan box. It was the first goal Morocco had conceded to an opposition player at the World Cup in Qatar. At the break, France were ahead but Morocco’s Atlas Lions were the ones roaring. Hakim Ziyech shot wide in the 15th minute after a sweet breakaway from Morocco’s box. This was comfortably dealt with by Lloris but gave the Moroccans a sense of momentum.