Preview: France and Morocco face off in giant quarter-final clash in Boston | OneFootball

Two of the most exciting sides at this year’s tournament, France and Morocco have both made their way to the quarter-final where they will face off in Boston.

Didier Deschamps’ France headed to North America as one of the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy for the third time, and they have so far not disappointed.

After making light work of possibly the toughest group at the tournament, France breezed past a Sweden side that couldn’t cope with their unparalleled attack containing the likes of Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and, of course, Kylian Mbappé.

We then saw a different side of France in their next game against Paraguay, who had already taken a massive scalp by beating Germany on penalties. Paraguay looked to deploy the same rough and conservative approach to this one.

It almost worked, but France showed their own streetwise style and aggressiveness to battle back against Paraguay. They may have gotten slightly fortunate by virtue of a Kylian Mbappe penalty, but they showed the guts to get the job done.

Their opponents have arguably shown more grit and guts than any other side over the last four years. Morocco have been the premier side in Africa and are eyeing a second successive semi-final at the World Cup.

Led by manager Mohamed Ouhabi, the Atlas Lions have made it five consecutive games unbeaten at a World Cup for the second successive time and are now comfortably inside the top 10 world rankings.

Their campaign kicked off against Brazil, where the African side would count themselves unlucky not to come away with all three points. A dominant first half yielded just one goal from Ismael Saibari, which was cancelled out by a smart strike from star winger Vinicius Junior.

They then bested Scotland in Boston in what was a fairly turgid affair, which was decided by a goal inside the first 70 seconds from Saibari, they ended their group stage with a victory over Haiti in what was an enthralling 4-2 victory.

Morocco then faced the Netherlands in the round of 32, where a late goal from Issa Diop levelled the tie after an early Cody Gakpo goal.

When both teams couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes, the game went to penalties, where Morocco were victorious thanks to missed penalties from Justin Kluivert, Crycensio Summerville and Quinten Timber.

Following a dramatic victory which signalled that Morocco were yet again serious challengers, they comfortably defeated one of the hosts in Canada, which has led them to this huge match-up with France.

After yet another incredible tournament, France captain Kylian Mbappe is just one goal behind Lionel Messi in the all-time World Cup goal-scorer chart with 19 goals. A remarkable feat that has came in just 19 World Cup games compared to Messi’s 31 World Cup games.

The only injury issue for Deschamps is in the middle of the park, where Real Madrid man Aurelien Tchouaméni has missed the last two games with a thigh injury.

His replacement Koauadio Koné hasn’t yet set the world alight and has at times left Adrian Rabiot a bit isolated in the midfield. Tchouameni could be fit for this one, but Deschamps is keeping his cards close to his chest.

As for Morocco, their injury worry is much more severe. Top scorer at these finals, Ismael Saibari, was withdrawn against Canada due to a hamstring injury. Saibari managed just half an hour before he was taken off in what could be a seismic blow for Ouahbi’s side.

Soufiane Rahmi was deputised for Saibari in their victory over Morocco, but he most likely won’t have the desired impact that Saibari has been having so far.

There is positive news for Morocco however, as Chiadi Riad is returning from injury and could be fit enough to start in what would complete Morocco’s strongest back line. Riad replaced fellow centre-half Redouane Halhal in their victory over Canada.

France and Morocco have only met twice before this, with the last being the World Cup semi-final in Qatar, where France won 2-0. They also met in 2007, with that game ending in a 2-2 draw.

Thursday’s game could be the perfect chance for Morocco to get their revenge and blow the fight for the World Cup wide open, or it could provide the chance for France to once again show the World just how good and unstoppable they are.

France’s quarter final meeting with Morocco kicks off at 21:00 (BST) in Boston, with live coverage on BBC One, ITV, ITVX, and STV Player.

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