France, a powerful, relentless, physical, technical team with speed and composure, with defense and scoring ability, is already in the World Cup semifinals after dominating Morocco. The African team, initially seen as an alternative and a candidate to cause some damage to the French giant, competed for an hour, showing their strengths and virtues, but faltered when they gave five minutes and a couple of meters to Mbappé and Dembélé. It was a galaxy far, far away for Morocco, like the one George Lucas created. The French stars sealed the afternoon in Boston and now await Spain or Belgium.
Morocco has changed. It is no longer the solid and intense team that made an impact in the Qatar World Cup. Four years later, they aim to present themselves to the world as a top-level team, capable of controlling the game, speeding it up, and slowing it down when needed. Their style and conviction are no longer those of a team dreaming of being there, but rather one that aspires to conquer it all.
Over 20,000 police officers deployed throughout France
Against France, Ouahbi's team faced the big favorite head-on, the same team that had eliminated them in the last edition. But in that direct confrontation, in truly believing they belonged in the top elite, they faltered. They lacked cunning, burdened by the absence of Saibari, their top striker, they made unnecessary mistakes and suffered from France's fast transitions. They took too many risks.
Instead of surrendering possession like Paraguay did in the intense round of 16 against France, Morocco took control of the game and competed in all aspects: tactically, technically, and with intensity. And of course, they lost.
Mutual respect in the first half
The first half was balanced, excessively so. A duel of mutual respect, with high quality in skills and tactics, pure intelligence. A global duel.
France started by instilling fear, missing two chances in the first four minutes. One from Mbappé, with a close-range shot that was deflected by Bono. And another from Upamecano, who headed a corner forcing the former Sevilla player to show off his reflexes.
The scare didn't unsettle Morocco's game plan, as they began to settle with the ball on Foxboro's pitch. Without Saibari, Brahim and El Khannouss shared the false nine position. Ouahbi chose not to have a fixed reference up front and instead tried to unsettle Saliba and Upamecano with constant movement from their attackers.
Both teams were still analyzing the situation when Mbappé started a run from midfield, entered the box, and was brought down by Mazraoui, who went to ground too eagerly. There wasn't a significant impact, but for the referee Tello Figueroa, it was enough. However, the Real Madrid player missed from the penalty spot with a weak and central shot that went straight into Bono's hands. He protested to the referee for the VAR review after the penalty, but the mistake was already made.
As in most knockout games, after the initial blows, both teams started to study each other and realized that the game was in their mistakes, like Mazraoui's. Bouaddi noticed this, losing a crucial ball in the 34th minute, allowing Doué to threaten Bono and force him to make another great save.
Before halftime, Digne hit the crossbar, and the break found the Lions of the Atlas dominating possession while France enjoyed the best chances. The Africans couldn't convert their good ideas into opportunities and barely troubled Maignan's goal. A danger for the second half.
In five minutes, France secured their spot in the semifinals. Olise had warmed up in the playmaker role with a wonderful pass at the edge of the box, quickly switching the ball from left to right foot, which Mbappé sent over. And five minutes later, the Real Madrid forward wouldn't miss his fourth clear chance of the game. The opposing defenders had given him too much space.
After a clearance from the African defense, Kylian received the ball at the edge of the box, feinted Diop, found a gap, and placed the ball with finesse, curling it low into the left corner. A decisive blow.
With the game broken and Morocco unraveling, he started from midfield, faced the two center-backs, and beat Bono with a right-footed shot low, where the goalkeeper touched it but couldn't prevent the goal.
The Africans tried to react, more for honor than for football, registering their first shot on target in the 83rd minute. A statistic that reflects their impotence in attack. France is in the semifinals, punching their ticket, and will watch the Spain-Belgium tie with a fierce determination.