World Champions France will take on Morocco in the second semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Wednesday at the Al Bayt Stadium.
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The Atlas
Lions have emerged as the hope of the Arab region and African continent. Les
Bleus seek to become the first world champion since Brazil in 1998 to enter the
final.
France
versus Morocco head-to-head:
· The
two sides have met 11 times in the past with the French winning seven times,
Morocco once and three games ending as draws
· They
are yet to play each other in a major tournament. Most of the matches between
the two have been in smaller tournaments while only two have been in international
friendlies
· The
teams first met in 1963 when Morocco won 2-1. However that has been the only
time the African side raced ahead of their former rulers from Europe.
· The
last encounter between the two teams was in 2007 in France and ended in a 2-2
draw.
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Stats:
· As
per the latest FIFA ranking list, France are ranked number four in the world
while Morocco stand 22nd on the list.
· In
the 11 encounters between the two, the European side has scored 18 goals while
Morocco has 11.
· Kylian
Mbappe has been the highest scorer of France and the tournament with 5 goals
while Youssef en-Neseyri is the top scorer for African team with two goals.
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Predicted line ups
France’s predicted line up: France is expected to retain the same team from their quarter-final with England
Lloris (c) and GK; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T Hernandez;
Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.
Morocco’s predicted
line up: Morocco will see a few additions as skipper Romain Saïss is out on injury while Walid Cheddira was awarded a red card on saturday and will also be out of action.
Yessine Bounou(GK); Hakimi, El Yamiq, Benoun, Attiyat Allah; Ounahi,
Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.
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Formations:
France’s
predicted formations: 4-2-3-1
Morocco’s
predicted formations: 4-3-3
