Eyeing a third consecutive World Cup semi-final, two-time champions France must overcome Morocco in the last eight, as the familiar pair meet in Boston on Thursday.
Whichever side wins a rematch of their 2022 semi will advance to the final four, where either Spain or Belgium would await.
Having rolled up their sleeves and survived Paraguay in the second knockout round, favourites France are preparing for yet another World Cup quarter-final.
France
Five straight wins have helped Les Bleus top Group I, then see off Sweden and La Albirroja; while it took a Kylian Mbappe penalty to finally defeat the latter, they have scored 13 goals in the process.
A potent front four of Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola has been perfectly supplemented by Desire Doue, whose neat footwork secured that crucial spot-kick against Paraguay.
All overseen by Didier Deschamps, who will bow out after this tournament, France have now won 11 of their last 12 competitive matches – including each of the last seven.
In addition to captaining the 1998 squad that claimed global glory on home turf, Deschamps is set to manage his 25th World Cup game on Thursday, equalling Helmut Schon’s longstanding record.
Back in Boston – where Les Bleus previously beat an under-strength Norway side 4-1 – the veteran coach will target his 20th win on football’s biggest stage.
Morocco
Meanwhile, Morocco must try to finally beat France within 90 minutes at the seventh time of asking, having lost four of six meetings so far.
The only competitive contest took place at Qatar 2022, with a 2-0 semi-final defeat ending the Moroccans’ magnificent run at that finals.
Once again, the Atlas Lions have gone five games unbeaten to start a World Cup before running into Les Bleus, as they continue to break new ground for African football.
Ranked seventh in the world, Mohamed Ouahbi’s men finished second in Group C before beating the Netherlands on penalties and swatting aside tournament co-hosts Canada.
Morocco are unbeaten in 10 straight games since January’s controversial Africa Cup of Nations final – but extending that streak could prove their fiercest test yet.
Mbappe
With his winning goal against Paraguay, France skipper Mbappe moved onto seven for the tournament – level with Lionel Messi (now has eight) and Erling Haaland in a star-studded Golden Boot race – and he will wear the armband once again.
Now on 19 World Cup goals, the Real Madrid striker is also locked in a fascinating battle with Messi to top the all-time scoring charts.
His head coach is unlikely to make changes to a settled starting XI, as Manu Kone may continue to deputise for Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield.
Joining Marcus Thuram on the sidelines, the latter was absent from the Paraguay game and has subsequently missed several days training with a thigh injury.
Fitness Concerns
Morocco’s main fitness doubt concerns Bayern Munich new boy Ismael Saibari, who impressed during the group stage but was withdrawn early in their last-16 clash.
His hamstring strain could mean that Rahimi fills in up front, while it remains to be seen whether centre-back Chadi Riad is fully fit.
Extending their head-to-head supremacy, France should sneak past Morocco and into another semi-final – most probably after a tense and tight-fought contest.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
