Will Morocco take over France?

What they’ve done already in Qatar: beaten 7th ranked Spain and 9th ranked Portugal in back-to-back knockout games, both teams with their own two superstars in Gavi and Cristiano Ronaldo (who bombed even when he wasn’t benched this year) respectively. Belgium, convincingly beaten in t h e group phase, were No 2. Croatia, fellow semifinalists who they held them to a draw in their opening game, No.12.

Morocco? Ranked No 22, behind even Wales (19) and Iran (20). And they aren’t done yet as they meet title defenders France (4).

Add the fact that they also took on Portugal with two of their first-choice back four — Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui and West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd — ruled out. Midway through the game, Romain Saiss, captain and centre-back, also limped out. Jawad El Yamiq and Yahia Attiyat Allah, who came into the 11, had 12 and 2 caps respectively when the tournament began. Achraf Dari, who replaced the injured Saiss, had 4.
Sure, France is a better team on paper. But then others left in the lurch by the Atlas Lions looked good in theory as well. By the time tonight comes, Morocco has got used to punching above their weight.

Morocco, a French and Spanish colony till 1956, made their World Cup debut in 1970, and went on to return another five times, the ongoing one being their sixth. They earned the first World Cup point for Africa by drawing with Bulgaria in 1970. But thereafter, it was tough going and Morocco had to wait until 1986 to play in the Biggest Show on Earth, where they won 3-1 against Portugal in the group stage. Things went south thereafter. Morocco’s only World Cup win after 1986 had come against Scotland in the 1998 edition.

When free Moroccan chocolates were being distributed at the Souq Waqif in Doha, moments after the win against Portugal, it all added to the aura of what Morocco had just achieved – a berth in a World Cup semifinal.

Can they continue with this giant-killing spree tonight? One thing is for sure. After the 0-1 loss to Tunisia in the group stage on November 30, France will not take Morocco lightly. More so because each of France’s former North African colonies summon up a special grit, spirit and energy when they play the French. On the cusp of history, all of France will be hop- ing Kylian Mbappé is a b l e to overcome the by- now fearful Moroccan backline and keep the title hopes alive. As for the rest of the world….