France storm into Thursday's World Cup quarter-final against Morocco as the tournament's hot favourites.
France saw off Morocco 2-0 at the 2022 World Cup semi-final, and this time they roll into Gillette Stadium, outside Boston, with even more attacking firepower – spearheaded by captain Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé has been in devastating form, netting seven goals in five matches, including the decisive penalty in France's 1-0 win over Paraguay in the round of 16, bringing him level with Norway's Erling Haaland and just one goal shy of Argentina's Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts.
A defeat for Les Bleus would not be the ideal end to Didier Deschamps' 14-year reign, with the France boss set to step aside once the tournament ends. But he insists his future isn't on his mind.
"I am not thinking about that at all. In my head, with my staff, the objective is just to do everything we can so that things go well," he said. "I am focused on this Morocco team."
Morocco followed up their 2022 heroics, as the first African nation to reach the last four of a World Cup, by claiming the 2025 African Cup of Nations – albeit under controversial circumstances – and have fought their way to the last eight after drawing Brazil in the group stage, knocking out the Netherlands on penalties, and seeing off Canada in the round of 16.
Morocco will be missing top scorer Ismael Saibari due to a muscle strain. But Deschamps was quick to praise the strength of a side that blends technical quality, physicality and tactical discipline.
"They are a very, very good team with excellent players – they aren't here by accident. It's going to be a clash between two teams that like to have possession, attack, and score goals," he said.
Deschamps brushed aside concerns over the appointment of Argentinian referee Facundo Tello, despite talk that France and Argentina could meet again in the final, as they did in 2022.
"I consider Morocco to be the opponent. I'm not going to consider the referee an opponent," Deschamps said. "Quite the opposite, he's there to ensure the laws of the game are applied as fairly as possible."
The winner of Thursday's clash will book a semi-final spot against either Spain or Belgium, with France's sights firmly set on another World Cup final.
(with newswires)
