France vs Morocco live: World Cup score, highlights, result from 2022 semi-final match
Nobody expected France and Morocco to face each other in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, but one of them will reach the final after Wednesday’s meeting at the Al Bayt Stadium.
France are the defending world champions but have lost several key players to injury ahead of the tournament. Head coach Didier Deschamps was confident his side would not miss a minute and Les Bleus put in a dazzling performance in Qatar thanks in large part to their front four of Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe.
They also had some defensive mistakes, which was foreign to a Moroccan team that had only conceded one goal in five games. This combination of rock-solid defense and timely goals was the basis for Walid Regragui’s Atlas Lions to become the first African team to reach the semi-finals, beating Spain and Portugal in the process.
The long, intertwined history and existing ties between the two nations – Regragui was born French, like other Moroccan players and others play for French teams – and the loyal and vocal contingent of Moroccan fans will add another dimension to the match. Another Moroccan surprise is not entirely out of the question.
Sporting News is following live scoring updates and highlights from the France vs Morocco World Cup 2022 match. Below are the full results from the semi-final match in Qatar.
France (4-2-3-1, from right to left): 1. Lloris (GK) — 5. Kounde, 4. Varane, 18. Upamecano, 22. T. Hernandez — 8. Tchouameni, 14. Rabiot — 11. Dembele , 7. Griezmann, 10. Mbappe — 9. Giroud
Morocco (4-3-3, from right to left): 1. Bono (GK) — 2. Hakimi, 5. Aguerd, 6. Saiss, 25. Attiyah Allah — 8. Ounahi, 4. Amrabat, 15. Amallah — 7 Ziyech , 19. En-Nesyri, 17. Boufal
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France vs Morocco Live Updates World Cup 2022 Highlights
2hrs 20mins from kick-off: France’s preparations have been compromised by illness and L’Equipe reports that centre-back Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot will not start tonight, with Ibrahima Konate and Youssouf Fofana taking their places. Confirmed team messages should be with us within the hour.
2 hours 40 minutes from kick-off: France have broken a recent trend of the defending champions not doing much in their title defence. Italy, Spain and Germany, winners in 2006, 2010 and 2014, bowed out in the group stage next.
3 hours from kick-off: This will be Morocco’s sixth meeting with France. They have not won any of the previous five, while France have triumphed in the last three World Cup semi-finals. I guess records are meant to be broken…
3 hours 20 minutes from kick-off: A key element in Ziyech’s battle with his great mate Mbappe is how much it will affect the Morocco full-back’s attacking performance. Walid Regragui’s party cannot afford too many dips, as the numbers below show.
3hr 40mins from kick-off: As has been the case throughout their run in Qatar, Morocco’s hopes of success will be built on a solid foundation at the back. Remarkably, Canada remains the only team to score against them so far.
4 hours from kick-off: Excitement is building with France aiming to reach a second consecutive World Cup final
4h 30m from kick-off: Will it be another SPECIAL night for Morocco in Qatar?
5 hours from kick-off: Is another Griezmann masterclass coming?
5 hours 30 minutes from kick-off: Regragui is confident Achraf Hakimi will be on top against Kylian Mbappe. The clash between the two PSG teammates will be under the spotlight ahead of kick-off, but Regragui has faith in his No.2.
“We have to block Kylian, but not just him. Hakimi is super motivated to beat his friend.”
6 hours from kick-off: Can Morocco spring another surprise at Qatar 2022?
6 hours 30 minutes from kick-off: Kylian Mbappe vs. Much has been made of Achraf Hakimi among his PSG teammates and close friends. They were already talking about a possible match in January.
Despite the trash talk, the two are close and shared photos together during the World Cup in Qatar. All of that will have to be shelved on Wednesday.
7 hours from kick-off: Many like to classify Morocco as a defending and against team, but as this compilation from the Morocco v Portugal match shows, there are plenty of quality build-ups from Walid Regragui’s men:
France vs Morocco lineups, team news
Several players were clearly under the weather as a cold swept through the French squad and there were concerns over the status of starters Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano, who fell ill in the days before the semi-final and missed the final training session. But the latest news from Qatar says both will start.
Should either of them struggle during the match, Ibrahima Konate (for Upamecano) and Youssouf Fofana (for Rabiot) would be their natural replacements.
France (4-2-3-1, from right to left): 1. Lloris (GK) — 5. Kounde, 4. Varane, 18. Upamecano, 22. T. Hernandez — 8. Tchouameni, 14. Rabiot — 11. Dembele , 7. Griezmann, 10. Mbappe — 9. Giroud
Morocco’s line-up will be mostly the same from the win against Portugal with just one change as Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui returns to the starting line-up at left-back after overcoming a bout with illness.
West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd is reportedly still not recovered from a thigh injury and Real Valladolid’s Jaward El-Yamiq will continue to deputise. Although also carrying a knock, centre-back Romain Saiss looks set to come through and play.
Morocco (4-3-3, from right to left): 1. Bono (GK) — 2. Hakimi, 18-El Yamiq, 6. Saiss, 25. Attiyah Allah — 8. Ounahi, 4. Amrabat, 15. Amallah — 7 .Zyyech, 19. En-Nesyri, 17. Boufal
