By Andrew Quinn
The semi-finals are fast approaching for the first World Cup in which an African team is involved, as former colonizers Morocco will take on France.
Morocco beat all expectations to reach the semi-finals of this tournament with a 1-0 win over Portugal. After Senegal, Cameroon and Ghana, this was the fourth time an African team reached the quarter-finals.
Morocco beat Spain in penalties to reach the quarter-finals. This was their best World Cup performance. Morocco tied with Croatia in group play, before defeating Canada and Belgium to qualify for the knockout stage.
France could also play in this historic match, as they are aiming to be the fifth team to participate in back-to-back World Cups. They will be the third team to win back-2-to-back titles if they win the championship. Italy won the tournament twice in 1934 and 1938. Brazil won the tournament twice in 1958, 1962.
They defeated England by a score of 2-1. Aurelien Chameni and Olivier Giroud scored their goals. They beat Poland with relative ease in Round of 16, after losing to Tunisia their last group match. Although they produced a team that had seen a lot of change, it was a win they were happy with. They have previously beat Australia and Denmark to reach group stage.
The main concern for the North African side is their defenders’ fitness. Naif Aguird, West Ham defender, missed the Portugal match with a thigh problem. Roman Sayes, Besiktas’ captain, had to leave in second half due to injury. Defender of Bayern Munich, Naseer Mazraoui also missed the quarter-final match. However, he may return to competition. After being sent to the stands against Portugal, Walid Chedira has been suspended.
France’s Dayot Uppicano, Bayern Munich defender, and Adrien Rabiot, Juventus midfielder are both in injury doubt. They were only able to complete light training on Tuesday.
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