FIFA is a corrupt cartel and Qatar’s government is built on repression.
France vs. Morocco
Argentina booked their place in the final decisively yesterday, and today it was all about determining who would be joining them there for a chance at history. France were the heavy favorites due to their superior talent in attack, but interestingly it appeared that Morocco’s defense may be better than France’s. Most in the stadium and those watching on TV and online were probably supporting Morocco as well, or they were if they liked rooting for the underdog. It’s been a real-life fairy tale for Morocco at this tournament. The first African side to reach the semis, and they have claimed the scalps of Belgium, Spain, and Portugal already. Very impressive from a team that not many gave a chance to.
But in this match, things were bad for Morocco almost from the off. The first goal was always going to be vital in this match, and it was the Frogs that struck first a scant five minutes into the match. A deflected and bouncing cross from the right side fell directly to left back Theo Hernandez, who was unmarked at the back post. He displayed quite a bit of athleticism to get his left foot to the ball, which had bounced up rather high on him. He struck it sweetly though and beat Moroccan keeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou at his near post. It wasn’t really Bono’s fault though, as Hernandez never should have been given that much space. It was the first time I had seen the Moroccans completely lose a man in the box this whole tournament, and they were punished for it.
I was worried how Morocco would respond as they had not been behind in this tournament up until that point, and it must be said they answered fairly well. They began getting the ball out to their wide men more effectively, and they were asking questions of Hernandez and his full back counter-part Jules Kounde. Forward/winger Hakim Ziyech was in particularly industrious form, seeming to pop up everywhere on the ball. The Moroccans were struggling to seriously test Les Bleus keeper Hugo Lloris though. He made a series of routine saves throughout the course of the first half, but I don’t think he was ever seriously worried. The French center backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konaté were somehow always on hand to make the vital final tackle, with defensive midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni helping to cover as well. The Moroccans hit the post on 45 minutes but try as they might, they just couldn’t find a way through and the first half ended at 1-0.
France were happy to have the lead of course, but everyone in the stadium was aware that the lead was an incredibly narrow one. Aside from the goal scored by France, Morocco had largely been the better team in the first half. That trend did continue for the most part in the opening stages of the second half as well. They kept running directly at the French defense, and if not again for those vital clearances at the last minute, Morocco could have exposed their back line. The French however started to find their attack again as the second half wore on. Winger/midfielder Antoine Griezmann was a monster in this match for them, particularly in the second half. His ball carrying and ability to win fouls were indispensable for his team today.
The match was put to bed on 79 minutes when France got their second, and maddeningly it was only their second real attack of the match. They worked the ball around the edge of the area well after Morocco gave the ball away in midfield. It eventually found the feet of striker Kylian Mbappe, who dribbled neatly into the area to get a shot away. A tackle came in at the last second though, which caused his shot to skid at an odd angle along the ground and straight into the path of substitute striker Randal Kolo Muani. Kolo Muani had been on the pitch for all of about 40 seconds before being presented with the greatest gift a striker can receive; the ball directly in front of him two yards from goal with keeper beaten. Bono had been trying to cover his near post to account for Mbappe, but the deflection took him completely out of the play. Well done to Kolo Muani for being in the right place at the right time and credit to France manager Didier Deschamps for the substitution as well, but it was a truly unlucky goal to concede from Morocco’s point of view.
Although the north Africans were visibly deflated after the second goal went in, they kept fighting nevertheless. They won a series of free kicks and corners that would have worried French fans, but nothing direct ever really came of them. Their best chance of the match came in stoppage time when a shot from close range was cleared off the line by Kounde with Lloris stranded. It was just not Morocco’s day today, and that happens sometimes in this sport. You can do everything right, but the ball just doesn’t want to go in. France were the more clinical side despite being less attacking-inclined, and they won 2-0. They are the first team with a chance to win successive World Cups in close to 60 years.
For Morocco, that early France goal really did them in. They are not a team built to chase games. They should be proud though. No matter the result today, just getting to the semifinals was a massive achievement for them. They did ever so well in this tournament and will be a nation to reckon with for years to come. Defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat needs to be in the team of the tournament, along with one or two of their back line. Defenders the world over can take lessons from the discipline and tackling shown by Morocco at this World Cup.
World Cup Final – France vs. Argentina – Sunday, December 18th 11 AM PST (there’s also the third place match on Saturday between Croatia and Morocco but I am decidedly unenthusiastic about third place)