SPORTS DESK
DOHA: On Sunday, defending champions France trained their sights on a World Cup semifinal against North African team Morocco as Lionel Messi’s Argentina faces Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2022 semifinal.
France will meet Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday in the World Cup semifinal after the North African team defeated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to the last four and became the first African team qualifying for the semifinals.
Morocco’s surprise in FIFA World Cup deserve recognition
France captain Deschamps, who also won the FIFA World Cup as a player, said, “Morocco deserves all our respect and recognition.” Currently, Morocco is ranked 22nd in the world.
“Morocco was not among the football teams we were expecting in the semifinals, but they surprises us and made into the semifinal.”
Morocco shock
Before the football mega tournament kicked off, only the most genuine Morocco football fan would have bet on their side reaching the FIFA World Cup 2022 semifinals.
However, they defeated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 1-0 to move forward than any African team ever has at a FIFA World Cup.
“We are drawing on all the available resources, we still have players injured,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said. “I told the players before the match against Portugal we had to write history for Africa. I am too much happy.”
