FIFA World Cup 2022: Quarter-finals Matchday 2 Review

Morocco and France progress!

Quarter-Finals

Morocco 1 vs. 0 Portugal

Morocco reaching this stage of the tournament was no fluke but a lot of their players were playing on reserve heading into the game. Mazraoui and Aguerd were not selected due to injury and Saiss was playing on a patched up hamstring. Portugal were already the team expected to go through and having benched Ronaldo again many were convinced that this would be one step too far for Morocco.

Buoyed by the great support within the stadium Morocco once again managed to increase their levels and feed off the energy. They defended well and countered with pace and the only goal of the game came in the 42nd minute after Boufal delivered a brilliant cross and En-Nesyri rose sky high to head past Diego Costa. As the game went on Santos brought on Ronaldo and others but Morocco stood firm. Saiss had to come off, Ziyech and Boufal also came off due to exhaustion but Amrabat was colossal in midfield. Cheddira was sent off for a second yellow in the 93rd minute but Morocco saw out the result and became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.

A great moment for Morocco, a great moment for Africa and a great moment for underdog teams. Their manager Walid Regragui has done brilliantly to tactically manage and encourage this team to perform at the level they have. For Ronaldo it is the end of the road and he will end his career without a World Cup, Portugal have a bright future but Santos should leave his post to perhaps welcome a new dawn. Can Morocco go further? Only time will tell.

England 1 vs. 2 France

This was the big game between two historic teams and both teams would have been slightly encouraged by the fact that Morocco went through and not Portugal. France began the game well and took the lead in the 17th minute with Tchouameni shooting a rocket of a shot from outside the box. England responded well after conceding but failed to create any dangerous chance that really tested Lloris.

The second half began with England continuing the momentum and Tchouameni turned villain when he brought down Saka in the box. Kane stepped up and converted the penalty to equalise for England in the 54th minute. The game was finely balanced but England were still slightly better than France. Lloris was forced into some good saves from distance while Pickford was forced into a point blank save from Giroud that resulted in a France corner. Griezmann delivered a brilliant ball and Giroud headed past Pickford in the 78th minute to give France the lead. England brought on reinforcements with Mount and others coming onto the pitch. Mount had an instant impact as he ran in behind and Hernandez committed a needless foul to concede a penalty. Up stepped Kane once again but he skied the shot in the 84th minute and France saw out the remaining minutes to progress to the semis.

Many thought France would not get past the group stage but they are now in the semi-finals and didn’t even have to be at their best against England. England played well but yet again fell at the first sight of decent opposition. England have plenty of talented young players so the future is bright for this team but Southgate needs to leave. There are coaches like Enrique, Tuchel, Pochettino and others who are available and Tuchel for example would be a brilliant tournament manager. Southgate did well to create a good environment but England can’t keep hoping for better under him. France are a game away from having a chance to retain the World Cup, and will face Morocco in the semi-finals.