With the world cup 2022 at the semis, all are wondering how did Morocco get here. Though the question is can they beat France? Morocco is the first African team to ever reach this stage of a World Cup (the semis) and has already topped a group that included Croatia and Belgium, as well as stunning Spain. But, France is one of the bookmarked teams to make it to the final and they are playing to be the third team to ever win back-to-back world cup finals. It is such an incredible achievement for Morocco to have even made it this far. They have been brilliant in their five matches and I know they will impress against France again. The Atlas Lions (Moroccos team) has given up only one goal this historic run and that was an own goal. Belgium, Spain, and Portugal have all failed to find the Moroccan net. When Morocco went to a penalty shootout against Spain in the Round of 16 it was a very good goalkeeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou, who saved two penalty kicks.

Despite being a team packed with good players France is happy to let the other team have the ball. This happened in the England game which England had 58% possession and twice as many shots as France. France’s strategy, though, is to wait for a chance for a counterattack. It was effective against England. Against Morocco, France will have to attack more with this very good defense than Morocco.  

Morocco’s playing is even more defensive. It has averaged 32% possession in its five World Cup matches, the second-lowest of any team. Against Portugal, it only had 26% of the ball. This strategy has worked due to its insane defense and the ability to counterattack at pace with the dribbling skills of wide-wingers Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal. But will it be enough to top France led by golden boot contender Kylian Mbappé?