France secures semi-final spot
France has advanced to the World Cup semi-finals after a 2-0 victory over Morocco. The match saw Kylian Mbappé score a goal and provide an assist, while Ousmane Dembélé also found the back of the net. This win marks France‘s return to the semi-finals for the third consecutive World Cup tournament.
Mbappé’s goal, scored in the 60th minute, was his 20th in his 20th World Cup match. Dembélé added France‘s second goal in the 66th minute. Despite a first-half penalty miss by Mbappé, France maintained an offensive advantage throughout the game, registering 21 shots on goal compared to Morocco‘s 4.
The match was held in Boston, where France‘s attacking strategy, developed under coach Didier Deschamps, was once again evident. Deschamps has implemented a more freeform attacking line, a shift from the pragmatic approach seen in previous tournaments. This tactical evolution has been a key factor in France‘s recent success.
Key moments and player performances
Mbappé’s goal came from a well-placed shot after Morocco failed to clear the ball. He received the ball outside the area, advanced a few steps, and then sent his shot into the net. His assist for Dembélé’s goal involved tapping the ball back and then drawing defenders away, creating space for Dembélé’s shot.
Early in the game, Mbappé had a shot on goal in the fourth minute that went wide. Later, in the 25th minute, he was fouled in the box by Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui, leading to a penalty kick. After a lengthy video review, Mbappé’s shot in the 28th minute was saved by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Despite the penalty miss and a later ankle issue that saw him substituted in the 76th minute, Mbappé confirmed he was fine after the match. He was observed on the bench with an ice pack on his right ankle but later celebrated with his teammates with both shoes on.
France‘s offensive pressure was consistent, with 13 shots on goal in the first half alone, while Morocco managed only one. Morocco‘s best opportunity in the first half came from a free kick by Achraf Hakimi just before halftime, which went past the right post.
Didier Deschamps acknowledged the quality of his players as a primary reason for the team’s sustained success in recent World Cups. He emphasized that the team’s performance on the pitch is the ultimate measure.
Looking ahead to the semi-finals
France will now face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals, scheduled to take place in Dallas on Tuesday. This upcoming match presents an opportunity for France to potentially reach three consecutive World Cup finals, a feat previously achieved by Brazil and West Germany.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed disappointment with the result, noting that his team’s transitions were not effective when they had ball possession, forcing them to expend more energy. He also observed that France‘s players were in their comfort zone during the match.
The match against Morocco marked a different stylistic approach compared to France‘s previous encounter with the same team in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, which also ended in a 2-0 victory for France. In that previous match, France adopted a more pragmatic style, focusing on blunting Morocco‘s attacks.
In the recent match, France‘s high pressing line kept Morocco on the defensive for much of the first half. Morocco, without an attacking focal point due to Ismael Saibari‘s absence, struggled to create significant offensive opportunities.
Midfielder Manu Koné delivered a strong performance, potentially solidifying his place in the starting lineup, especially with concerns about Aurélien Tchouaméni‘s fitness. The defense has faced minimal pressure in recent matches, a situation that suits the team given William Saliba‘s lingering back issues. However, the upcoming semi-final against either Spain or Belgium is expected to present a sharper and more challenging offensive test.
Despite some instances of wasteful finishing, the sheer volume of chances created by France‘s attack, particularly through the interplay between Mbappé, Dembélé, and Michael Olise, has been a defining characteristic of their play. Deschamps has acknowledged the need for more clinical finishing, especially against higher-quality opponents.
As France prepares to travel to Dallas for their semi-final match, the team appears ready to confront the challenges ahead, recognizing that the next stage of the tournament will be even tougher.
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Source: theglobeandmail.com
