Morocco arrive at the World Cup quarter-finals on a 34-match unbeaten run – and with a swagger that makes them far more than plucky underdogs. The Africa Cup of Nations champions, pending an appeal by Senegal after a controversial final in January, face France in Atlanta on Thursday with a chance to avenge their semi-final defeat four years ago.
Only four of the side that lost that match in Qatar started Morocco’s surprise run to the last four in 2022. Now, with dynamism running through the team, they present what could be France’s sternest test yet. For the 2022 runners-up, just three of the side from that semi-final featured in Saturday’s win over Paraguay. The emergence of centre-back William Saliba and creative maestro Michael Olise highlights the refresh under Didier Deschamps.
“France face Morocco on 34-match unbeaten run; Spain meet Belgium in World Cup quarter-finals.”
Kylian Mbappe remains the star turn, bidding to pip Argentina’s Lionel Messi to both the Golden Boot and the title of all-time top scorer in World Cup tournaments. France have won seven consecutive matches and 11 of their last 12 against Morocco, who have never beaten les Bleus. Yet half of France’s World Cup defeats this century have been inflicted by African teams – three out of six.
The second quarter-final on Friday sees Spain take on Belgium in Los Angeles. Belgium have scored 13 goals, the third-highest tally at the tournament, behind Argentina and France. Romelu Lukaku has scored three times off the bench, averaging one every 67 minutes, while Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard has two goals and two assists. Spain, however, are yet to concede at this World Cup.
With six European sides, one from Africa and one from South America in the last eight, the expanded tournament has already produced epic games. The question lingering over the quarter-finals is whether anyone can stop France – a side that appears to have found new energy and depth.