Four years on from Qatar, France and Morocco meet again in a World Cup knockout tie, this time in the quarter-finals in Boston. France won that 2022 semi-final 2-0 on their way to the final. Morocco arrive determined to rewrite the ending, and to finally beat Les Bleus inside 90 minutes for the first time in seven attempts.
France come in as favourites and in ruthless form. Five straight wins have carried them past Sweden and Paraguay, and they've scored 13 goals along the way. Their front four of Mbappe, Dembele, Olise and Barcola, with Desire Doue supplementing it, gives Deschamps as much attacking depth as any side left in the tournament.
Morocco's run is no accident. Ranked seventh in the world, they finished second in Group C, knocked out the Netherlands on penalties, and dispatched co-hosts Canada with an Azzedine Ounahi second-half brace. They are unbeaten in 10 games since January and continue to set new benchmarks for African football.
France vs Morocco: Key Stats
Head-to-head: France have won 4 of 6 meetings, Morocco 0
Their only competitive meeting was France's 2-0 win in the 2022 semi-final
France have won 11 of their last 12 competitive matches
Morocco are unbeaten in 10 consecutive games
Mbappe is on 7 goals this tournament, level with Messi and Haaland
Photo Credit (Getty Images)
What to Expect
France will look to control the game through their front four and let Mbappe attack the space behind Morocco's full-backs. Deschamps has a settled side, with Manu Kone deputising for the injured Tchouameni in midfield. Their five clean-sheet-free but high-scoring run suggests they'll back their attack to outscore anyone.
Morocco's strength is their structure and the individual quality of Brahim Diaz, who set up both goals against Canada and holds the all-time African record for World Cup assists. Ounahi and Bouaddi give them a midfield that can match France's, and Hakimi's runs from right-back are a genuine weapon. The doubt is up top, where Ismael Saibari's hamstring may hand Soufiane Rahimi the starting role.
The key question is whether Morocco can hold France's forward line for 90 minutes. They've defended superbly all tournament, but they haven't faced an attack of this depth and pace. If Mbappe finds room early, Morocco's task becomes very steep.
Predicted Lineups
France (4-2-3-1)
Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Kone, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe
Morocco (4-2-3-1)
Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Rahimi
Players to Watch
Kylian Mbappe - Wears the armband on 19 World Cup goals and seven for this tournament, locked in a Golden Boot race with Messi and Haaland. Morocco's back line has been excellent, but containing him for a full match is a different order of challenge, and one moment of his pace could settle the tie.
Brahim Diaz - Morocco's creative heartbeat, with 10 goal involvements for his country this year and two assists against Canada. He operates in the pockets France sometimes leave open, and if Morocco are to spring the upset, he'll be at the centre of it.
Achraf Hakimi - Morocco's most influential player from full-back, driving forward and stretching defences. His duel with Barcola down that flank is one of the matchups the tie may hinge on, both going forward and defensively.
Yassine Bounou - Has already won two shootouts at this World Cup and remains Morocco's insurance policy in a tight game. If Morocco can keep it level into the closing stages, his presence changes the calculation entirely.
Prediction
Prediction: France to win and both teams to score @ 3.75
France carry the greater attacking firepower and the pedigree, having won this exact fixture on the biggest stage four years ago. Their high-scoring, occasionally leaky run suggests goals at both ends rather than a routine shutout. Morocco have the quality through Diaz, Hakimi and Ounahi to find the net, but stopping France's front line for 90 minutes is the harder task.
Morocco's resilience and shootout record mean France cannot afford to let this drift, and an early goal for either side would shape everything. The most likely outcome is a France win in a contest where Morocco land a blow of their own. Les Bleus march on toward a third straight semi-final.