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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Nick Ames at Al Bayt Stadium

France 2-0 Morocco: World Cup semi-final player ratings

Ibrahima Konaté’s interception denies Youssef En-Nesyri.
Ibrahima Konaté’s interception denies Youssef En-Nesyri. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

France (4-2-3-1)

Hugo Lloris (GK) Huge first-half save from El Yamiq, with help from the post, kept France ahead. Confident and secure. 8

Jules Koundé (RB) Cleared off the line to deny Morocco a deserved late consolation. Solid enough but was sometimes exposed after break. 6

Raphaël Varane (CB) Pass to Griezmann played role in the winner. Timing and leadership helped weather Morocco’s attacking flurries. 7

Ibrahima Konaté (CB) Drafted-in defender made some vital interceptions, denying En-Neysri a tap-in early in the second half. 8

Théo Hernandez (LB) Eyed bouncing ball and finished acrobatically to scupper Morocco’s plans and send France on their way. 7

Aurélien Tchouameni (CM) Had periods of midfield control and his
driving run set up a first-half Mbappé chance. 7

Youssouf Fofana (CM) Deputised for Adrien Rabiot and had mixed time against a crisp, high-energy Morocco engine room. 6

Ousmane Dembélé (RW) Rarely involved beyond a couple of bright runs and France may need a bigger contribution against Argentina. 5

Antoine Griezmann (AM) Got behind El Yamiq to have crucial hand in Hernandez’s goal. Attacking heartbeat was central to their best work. 7

Kylian Mbappé (LW) Limbering up for final. Both goals followed his blocked shots, the second after sublime footwork. Explosive at times. 7

Olivier Giroud (CF) Rapped post after beating a stricken Saïss and later missed an easier chance. Not his most effective night. 6

Substitutes: Thuram (for Giroud 65) Missed good headed chance to make it safe, 6; Kolo Muani (for Dembélé 79) Scored his first international goal straight after arriving, 7.

Morocco’s impressive Sofyan Amrabat holds off Kylian Mbappé.
Morocco’s impressive Sofyan Amrabat holds off Kylian Mbappé. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

Morocco (5-4-1)

Yassine ‘Bono’ Bounou (GK) Will be frustrated at conceding so early when he was barely extended thereafter. Took risks in possession. 6

Achraf Hakimi (RB) Right-sided raids and combinations with Ziyech were a joy at times. Enjoyed tussle with clubmate Mbappé. 7

Achraf Dari (CB) Last-minute addition to side let nobody down, although Mbappé and Thuram both tested him for pace. 6

Romain Saïss (CB) Captain was passed fit but looked well off it when Giroud outstripped him and was quickly replaced. 5

Jawad El Yamiq (CB) Missed interception that let Griezmann in before opener proved costly. Denied redemption when stupendous overhead kick stayed out. 6

Noussair Mazraoui (LB) Made little impact going forward and half-time substitution suggested this was another fitness risk that backfired. 5

Hakim Ziyech (RW) Outrageous touches and link-up play kept Morocco flowing but end product was often frustrating. Overplayed frequently. 6

Azzedine Ounahi (CM) Tournament’s breakout player forced Lloris to save from range and was an all-action, clever performer throughout. 7

Sofyan Amrabat (CM) Shuddering tackle to halt Mbappé was a highlight. A class act who runs midfield and distributes beautifully. 8

Sofiane Boufal (LW) Purposeful and difficult to dispossess. Set up a glimpse for Ziyech but final pass inconsistent. Harshly booked. 6

Youssef En-Nesyri (CF) Quarter-final hero had few sniffs at goal, partly due to smart work from Konaté, and left early. 6

Substitutes: Amallah (for Saïss 21) Picked up midfield pace but was later subbed too, 6; Attiyat Allah (for Mazraoui 45) Dangerous sorties from left-back, 7; Hamdallah (for En-Nesyri 66) Briefly smelt glory with slalom through backline, 6; Aboukhlal (for Boufal 66) Tried to make things happen, 6; Ezzalzouli (for Amallah 78) Made little impact, 6.

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