Half the way is done for France. The French lead 1-0 against Morocco in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar.
France lead 1-0 against Morocco at half-time in the semi-final of the World Cup in Qatar. The stadium seems entirely committed to the cause of the Atlas lions. As soon as they warmed up, the players of the France team were copiously whistled by the public. 80% of the supporters present are Moroccan. Les Bleus left-back Théo Hernandez opened the scoring in the fifth minute. Moroccan Jaouad El-Yamiq hit the post with a magnificent return kick.
France plays without two of its usual holders. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot and defender Dayot Upamecano are not on the field for this match. “They both caught a cold. Dayot is better so he will be on the bench. Adrien stayed at the hotel, nothing serious but the two will not be able to start”explained assistant coach Guy Stéphan at the microphone of Fifa.
These are the two changes made by coach Didier Deschamps compared to the round of 16 against Poland (3-1) and the quarter against England (2-1). They are replaced in the starting “eleven” by defender Ibrahima Konaté and midfielder Youssouf Fofana. The Liverpool player and the Monaco player have eleven selections between them before the match played in al-Khor, north of Doha.
On the Moroccan side, coach Walid Regragui has changed his defense, going from two to three centrals, with the return of Roman Saïss, despite the uncertainties about his physical form. Captain Saïss has suffered from a slight thigh strain for several matches and did not finish the quarter-final against Portugal (1-0), released on a stretcher after 55 minutes. Announced holder in central defense, Nayef Aguerd was replaced at the last moment by Achraf Dari. Bayern Munich left-back Noussair Mazraoui, who like Aguerd missed the quarter-final against Portugal (1-0), is back. In attack, Regragui lines up wingers Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal behind striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
The winner will face Argentina’s genius Lionel Messi in the final this Sunday at 4 p.m. in Lusail. The match for third place is scheduled for this Saturday, also 4 p.m., but in Doha and against Croatia.