The FIFA World Cup 2022 is nearing its end as we had the second semi-final clash between the defending champions France and surprise package Morocco on Wednesday night.
Argentina managed to beat Croatia 3-0 in the first semi-final and secured a spot in the finals and both France and Morocco would have been hoping to get the better of the other and fix a date with La Albiceleste.
France have put up an incredible title defence so far. Injuries to Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Christopher Nkunku and Lucas Hernandez have not deterred Didier Deschamps’ side and they look like the team to beat this tournament.
The road to this semifinal had not been simple for Les Bleus either. They had to get the better of England in the quarter-finals and despite being second-best on the night, they managed to do it thanks to goals from Oliver Giroud and Aurelian Tchouameni.
Morocco, on the other hand, have been a huge surprise package this tournament. The African nation stunned a number of big teams on their way to the final-four, with Belgium, Spain and Portugal all being their victims.
The most impressive thing about Morocco was that they had conceded only one solitary goal on their way to the semi-finals and even that was an own-goal. They have not even conceded in a penalty shootout yet.
All this set us up for one of the most promising clashes of the World Cup to date. France took an early lead through Theo Hernandez. Despite wave after wave of Morocco’s attack, they managed to hold on to their lead before Randal Kolo Muani scored late in the game to win it for France and take them to the finals.
We at Barça Universal take a look at how Barcelona’s France players fared for their nation last night.
Ousmane Dembele (vs Morocco):
Surprisingly quiet first half from Dembele. Unlike previous games where he was a livewire down the right flank, the Frenchman did not really influence the game apart from a few silky touches.
Things did not change much after the break either as apart from one scintillating run in the second half, there was absolutely nothing of note from the Barcelona man against Morocco. The talented winger will be hoping for a better outing against Argentina in the grand finale.
Jules Kounde (vs Morocco):
What a player Barcelona have on their hands. If Kounde can play so well at a position he doesn’t like playing at, one can only imagine how good he can be if given a long run in the centre of defence.
Kounde was assured on the ball and some of his line-breaking passes in the first half really set the tone for France. The Barcelona man was excellent in the second half as well and was one of France’s best players today. He capped off a memorable performance with a brilliant goal-line clearance at the end of the game.
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