Football
Morocco v Croatia: Fight for 3rd place, or losers' playoff?
To some, it’s little more than a meaningless exhibition match. To others, it’s a chance to become “immortal.”
The third-place playoff at the World Cup can be a confusing concept.
“You are so disappointed, you’ve just lost a semifinal and then two days later you have to go back out there,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said Friday.
Regragui’s history-making team — the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals — will play Croatia on Saturday at Khalifa International Stadium.
Read more: Morocco look to the future after World Cup dream ends
“It’s like the booby prize,” Regragui said. “I am sorry for speaking like this. I understand that it should be important, I understand that it is better to finish third than fourth, but for, me my takeaway is that we just didn’t get to the final.”
Morocco’s run to the semifinals in Qatar provided the most improbable story of the tournament. The team was also the first Arab nation to go so far in soccer’s biggest event, generating an outpouring of pride among Arab countries.
After such a wild and dizzying ride, it’s understandable that Regragui sounded so flat when looking ahead to the match against Croatia. It’s also a measure of his own ambition that he ends an unforgettable tournament for African soccer with a sense of disappointment after being beaten by defending champion France 2-0.
“Yes, finishing third would be great for our image. We would be on the podium,” the coach said. “But you know what, even if we win the game tomorrow we won’t have got to the final and we won’t have won the World Cup.”
The atmosphere from the Croatian side has been more upbeat.
Read more: Croatia’s ‘golden generation’ nears end after World Cup
The runners-up from the last World Cup in Russia lost to Argentina 3-0 in the other semifinal match, but their players have spoken of the importance of winning another medal.
Forward Andrej Kramarić described it as the chance to “become an immortal hero in your country.”
“Eight of us from (the tournament in) Russia understand that feeling of winning a medal at the World Cup and we have a lot of players who haven’t experienced that and would love to do that because it’s something that will stay with you for the rest of their life,” Kramarić said.
Luka Modric, who is likely playing in his last World Cup, had similar thoughts.
“We need to leave everything to win the bronze medal and let our fans celebrate one more time,” he said.
To finish second and third in back-to-back World Cups would further secure the legacy of a golden generation for Croatia.
“Saturday’s match is not a small one for us, but a big final, a fight for third place, for a medal,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić said. “We have to prepare in every sense. It’s a big thing if we take the bronze medal, that would be great.
“The difference is being third or fourth in the world, we will do everything to do that.”
Morocco and Croatia have already played each other at this year’s World Cup, a 0-0 draw in the group stage.
“We know that Croatia got a lot of stick because they weren’t able to beat Morocco,” Regragui said. “Morocco was one of the underdogs and now we both reached the semifinals.”
Injured Morocco center back Romain Saiss, the team’s captain, will miss the game after lasting only 21 minutes against France. Noussair Mazraoui, also substituted in that match, is a doubt.
“We have really, really pushed our players to the limits, but they still want to go out tomorrow and play again,” Regragui said. “But we are not going to be taking risks tomorrow for some of our players.”
As World Cup glory beckons, Messi’s hometown buzzes in anticipation
Fernanda Quiroga still remembers how Lionel Messi played soccer in what were then dirt roads around their working class neighborhood in Rosario, Argentina’s third-largest city.
“(Messi) was always kicking something, a ball, a bottle cap,” said Quiroga, who at 35 is the same age as the captain of Argentina’s national soccer team. “The memory I have of him because he lived right in front of my house, is going to buy sweet pastries at his grandmother’s around the block and he was always kicking something.”
Excitement for Sunday’s World Cup final, when Argentina will face defending champion France in Qatar, is rising fast and anxiety is running particularly high in Messi’s hometown as many are hoping this will be the year when Messi finally wins the one major trophy that has been missing from his illustrious career.
“Even though it pains us all, it’s been said this is Leo’s last World Cup, so we’re all hoping he wins it, I think more for him than for the national team itself,” Quiroga said. “I think what weighs more this time around is that we want him to get it because he has generated so much love and respect.”
After beating Croatia in the semifinals Tuesday, Messi said Sunday’s match would likely be his last in a World Cup.
The neighborhood popularly known as La Bajada has turned into a sort of altar for Messi with murals and graffiti that praise the soccer star.
“From another galaxy and from my neighborhood,” reads graffiti that is seemingly ubiquitous in the area.
A large mural of Messi looking up at the sky is painted on the side of his old house that still belongs to his family.
Read more: Argentina vs France Final Match Preview: FIFA World Cup 2022
“The little guy was very spicy. If he got mad, he grabbed the ball and took it away,” said Marcelo Almada, a 37-year-old construction worker who played soccer with Messi in the streets around the neighborhood where he still lives. “He didn’t like to lose … but he was a very good kid.”
With the World Cup, “there has been an explosion in the neighborhood,” where “we’re all like brothers,” he added, noting that after every Argentina victory people celebrate in the streets until the early hours of the morning.
The neighborhood has also turned into a place of pilgrimage, with fans from all over the world coming to visit Messi’s old house and the small soccer field in the corner where he started to learn the skills that would eventually turn him into an all-time great.
“I’ve been a fan of Barcelona and Messi since I was a little boy and … my dream is to see Messi win (the World Cup),” said 23-year-old Niv Reznik, an Israeli who traveled to Argentina with a group of friends to watch the tournament in the homeland of the soccer star who played 17 seasons with Barcelona.
When Reznik and his friends got to Messi’s house, one of them kneeled and waved his hands in ovation.
A few blocks away, another person who is hoping for a Messi victory is 55-year-old Andrea Liliana Sosa, who was Messi’s math and science teacher in fifth and sixth grade.
“He was a quiet and dutiful student, responsible with what he had to do for school and well loved by his classmates … especially during the breaks to play ball,” Sosa said in one of the classrooms of the school that has chipped paint across many of its walls. “He was very focused on soccer.
″(A victory Sunday) would be like the cherry that he’s missing, so let’s hope he makes it, but he has done enough already to be recognized and loved by everyone,” she added.
School children are living the World Cup “with a beautiful passion” and want Argentina to win “for Messi,” said Milena Fernández, a 13-year-old student who was standing in front of a large mural of the soccer star on the school’s grounds.
Read more: France struck by cold virus ahead of World Cup final
Across the street from the school, another large mural of Messi adorns the side of a residential building that has also turned into a place of pilgrimage for fans.
“We’ve even seen people praying here,” said 21-year-old Valentina Rota, who lives in the building. “There’s a whole feeling of belonging because he was born around the corner, he’s one of us, he’s a neighbor.”
Messi, and the national team as a whole, have managed to raise the hope and optimism of Argentines in a country that has been stuck in economic doldrums for years with one of the world’s highest inflations rates, closing in on almost 100% per year, and where close to four of every 10 people live in poverty.
“Everyone wants Messi to win and that generates a community, a very pleasant feeling that is very infrequent in Argentina, which is always fighting, divided, angry, frustrated,” said Diego Schwarzstein, an endocrinologist who treated Messi for growth hormone deficiency until he left for Barcelona at 13 after the European club promised to pay for his costly treatment.
In Rosario, a city marred by drug violence, that feeling seems even more stark.
“You forget a little bit about the murders, the robberies and all other things that are happening,” Sosa said. “This distracts us a little bit.”
It isn’t, of course, just about a distraction. For those who have followed Messi’s career from the beginning, a victory Sunday would mean the culmination of lifelong work considering the soccer star himself has talked about the importance of winning a World Cup title.
“Despite the fact that he’s now a rock star, has a beautiful family, a gorgeous wife, a bulky bank account and lots of popularity, his path was not covered in rose petals,” Dr. Schwarstein said. “Those of us who know that path, and know the importance this Cup has for him, profoundly want him to have it.”
In La Bajada, residents are hopeful that if Messi wins on Sunday he will come back to his old home for a visit.
“We all have the dream that he will come back,” Quiroga said. “It’s a very strong wish, especially for the youngest who’ve heard that we all know him and they want to meet him, too. There are huge expectations for him to come back and I think that some day it will happen, whether it be now or later. This is his house, his family’s house, let’s hope it happens.”
Argentina vs France Final Match Preview: FIFA World Cup 2022
The two finalists of the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 have been confirmed. After almost a month of fighting, Argentina from South America and France from Europe have reached this year’s final. While France had an easy trip to the group stage, Argentina was under pressure after losing their first match to Saudi Arabia. But Messi’s team won the ticket to the final without losing any match. Let’s take a look at Argentina vs France final match preview and know which team has a great chance of winning the Football World Cup.
Time and Venue of the FIFA World Cup Final Argentina vs France Match
Argentina and France will meet in the final at Lusail Stadium next Sunday (December 18) at 9 pm Bangladesh time.
Argentina vs France: Head-to-Head Records So Far
Both teams have faced each other in 12 matches so far, which includes 8 international friendly matches, 1 independent match, and 3 on the World Cup stage.
In 1930, the two teams met for the first time in the first edition of World Cup football, where Argentina beat France 1-0. Since then, the two teams have faced each other in a total of 12 matches, where Argentina won 6, France won 3, and 3 matches have been drawn.
Out of 3 matches played in the World Cup, France won 1 against Argentina’s 2 wins. That, too, was in the last sixteen matches of the 2018 Russia World Cup. In that match, France beat Argentina 4-3 to reach the quarter-finals.
Read More: Messi fans overjoyed in south Asia after Argentina semi win
How Did Argentina Reach the FIFA World Cup Final 2022?
Two-time world champions Argentina stepped into the Qatar World Cup with 36 matches unbeaten record to break the 36-year title drought. But Argentina got upset in that mission after losing against Saudi Arabia in their opening match. In the end, after overcoming the issues, team Argentina is in the finals of the tournament. The Argentines have beaten Mexico, Poland, Australia, Netherlands, and Croatia to reach the final.
Argentina is passing through the World Cup just like a dream, and its main driver is Lionel Messi. In every match, Messi’s great performance seems to be building the result of the match. In the last World Cup of his career, Messi is playing with all his heart. Even in the twilight of his career, the Argentinian superstar’s performance on the field is reminiscent of the young Messi.
Overview of Argentina’s Performance in the World Cup 2022
Let’s see a recap of Argentina’s journey at the Qatar World Cup 2022
Saudi Arab 2: Argentina 1
On November 22, Argentina played the first match in Qatar World Cup with Saudi Arabia. The undefeated team of 36 consecutive matches went ahead with Messi’s penalty goal in 10 minutes. But in the second half, Saudi Arabia, which is number 51 in FIFA banking, entered the field with a new spirit. Saleh Alshehri scored in the 48th minute, and Salem Aldawsari scored the winning goal in the 53rd minute.
Read More: Messi or Mbappe: Who will win Golden Boot in World Cup 2022?
Argentina 2: Mexico 0
On November 26, Argentina signaled to come back after defeating Mexico. Coach Lionel Scaloni was worried after not seeing a goal in the first half. But goals from Messi and Enzo Fernandez in the second half saw the Albiceleste’s return to the tournament.
Argentina 2: Poland 0
Teams confidence almost went down after losing to Saudi Arabia in the first match, regained their confidence in the last match of the group stage when they beat Poland 2-0. The 1978 and 1986 World Cup champions advanced to the knockout stage as group winners thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
Argentina 2: Australia 1
This match was the 1000th of Messi’s career and the 100th as captain of Argentina. With the magic of his left foot, Argentina easily reached the last eight. And Alvarez’s scored the winning goal in the 57th minute.
Argentina 2 (4): Netherlands 2 (3)
This match on December 9 surely boosted Argentina to play the final. Molina and Messi’s goals in the match led Argentina first. But the Dutch equalized in injury time. Ultimately, the fate of the match is decided by a tiebreaker. The match, however, will long be remembered for the spate of fouls and yellow cards involving players from both teams. The Spanish referee Antonio Lahoz showed a total of 15 yellow cards in the entire match.
Argentina 3: Croatia 0
Argentina faced Croatia in the first semi-final. The Croats, who had sent Brazil off, were expected to pose a tough challenge. However, Croatia did not care about coach Scaloni’s excellent strategy and the incredible performance of Lionel Messi. Messi scored the first goal from the penalty. The other two goals came from the feet of Argentina’s new sensation, Alvarez.
Read More: Messi evokes Maradona comparisons on road to World Cup final
Key Players to Watch in Argentina’s Team
Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister
Argentina’s Statistics in the FIFA World Cup Finales So Far
The statistics of the FIFA World Cup final do not give much comfort to the Albiceleste. Argentina played the final five times and won the title only two times. Argentina played the first final on the world stage of football in 1930. At the end of the first half, Argentina was leading 2-1 against the hosts Uruguay. But at the end of 90 minutes, they had to leave the field with a 4-2 loss.
Argentina had to carry that loss for 57 years. Finally, in 1978, Mario Kempes wrote the fairy tale. Argentina’s nearly six-decade-long wait is over. The Albiceleste defeated the Netherlands 3-1 in the final of the tournament at home thanks to a pair of goals by Kempes. Argentina played the final again in 1986. This time, under the leadership of Maradona, they defeated the powerful West Germany 3-2 in Mexico and brought home their second title.
The following year Maradona reached the final again. In 1990, Argentina’s dream was shattered in the 85th minute of a match in Italy. West Germany took revenge for the previous tournament and won 1-0.
After a long 24 years break, Argentina entered the finals again in 2014. The fans were waiting to forget the misery of 1990 under the leadership of Lionel Messi. But this time, the previous incident was repeated too. Mario Gotz snatched the title for Germany in the 23rd minute of extra time.
Read More: Will Messi's last performance in World Cup help Argentina win the trophy in Qatar?
How Did France Reach the Final of FIFA World Cup 2022?
Title defender France was the top favorite in the 2022 World Cup. However, there was a concern about France as they started the journey without stars like Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, and Christopher Nkunku due to injuries.
However, there is a goal machine like Mbappe in this team. There are also extraordinary forwards like Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembele. All apprehensions were thus blown away at the outset, and France advanced like a king. Poland and England failed to stop France in the knockout stages despite stumbling in Tunisia in the last group stage match. Mbappe and Giroud have done a good job of scoring goals.
Didier Desham’s team has reached the final after beating Morocco 2-0 in the second semi-final game on Wednesday night. Hernandez led France with an excellent goal in just 4 minutes and 39 seconds after starting the match.
So far, this goal has been listed as the fastest goal in a World Cup semi-final game since 1958. Brazil’s Vava scored within two minutes of the game against France. Randal Kolo Muani scored France’s second goal shortly after being substituted in the second half.
Overview of France’s Journey in the FIFA World Cup 2022
Following is the recap of France’s journey at the Qatar World Cup 2022.
France 4: Australia 1
1998 and 2018 World Cup champions France started the tournament with a great win. They beat Australia 4-1 in their first match in Group D. Adrien Rabiot, Olivier Giroud, and Mbappe scored in that match.
France 2: Denmark 1
The next match in the group stage was not easy at all. France went ahead with Mbappe’s goal in the 61st minute, but Denmark equalized seven minutes later. If Mbappe did not score again in the 86th minute, the result of the match could have been different.
Tunisia 1: France 0
Didier Deschamps started the match with an almost new team against Tunisia on November 30 as they assured the knockout stages with two straight wins. However, the nine players from the bench could not make use of the opportunity. However, Tunisia saw this as an advantage, and Wahbi Khazri took the opportunity and scored in the 58th minute and giving Tunisia a memorable victory.
France 3: Poland 1
Mbappe looked fitter and more energetic against Poland after a one-match rest. The result was an easy 3-1 win. Oliver Giroud scored the first goal, but Mbappe did not let anyone share the other two goals.
France 2: England 1
In the quarter-finals, England was a very tough challenge in front of France. Luckily Harry Kane missed the golden opportunity to score the second goal of the match with the penalty; otherwise, who knows what would have been written in the fate of France at the end of the match!
France 2: Morocco 1
Morocco became the first country in Africa to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup by defeating teams like Belgium, Spain, and Portugal. But France did not allow their dream journey to be long. Theo Hernandez and Kolo Muani’s goals floated Mbappe’s team to the final.
Read More: France struck by cold virus ahead of World Cup final
Key Players to Watch in France’s Team
Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann.
France’s Statistics in the FIFA World Cup Finales So Far
In their first three semi-finals in 1958, 1982, and 1986 France failed to advance to the final. However, they won all their semi-finals after that and entered the final each time and won all four times in 90 minutes. After becoming the champion in 1998, he became the runner-up in 2006. They became champions again in the 2018 Russia tournament. Italy and Brazil have won two consecutive World Cups in history. With the upcoming final, the French have the opportunity to share the record with these two teams.
Probable Starting SquadFrance vs Argentina Final Match:
Argentina:
Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna, De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez
France:
Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Konate, T. Hernandez, Rabiot, Tchouameni; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
2022 FIFA World Cup Final Argentina vs France: Match Result Prediction
It is difficult to predict the outcome of this game. However, France is the current favorite to win, as they have a strong team and a good track record of success in World Cup tournaments. Argentina has also been very impressive in this World Cup, so the game could go either way. But according to SportsMole’s data analysis, Argentina has a 38.08% chance of winning, while France has 35.33%. However, there is a 26.59% chance for a draw in the first 90 minutes.
Read More: FIFA World Cup Final 2022 Argentina vs France LIVE Streaming: Where and How to watch online and TV Channel, Predicted XI
Final Words
Four years ago, France beat Argentina 4-3 in the second round on their way to winning the World Cup in Russia. However, France coach Didier Deschamps sees a lot of differences between the team Argentina and the current team. This year Argentina is different under Lionel Scaloni. Along with that, Messi’s great rhythm was also a threat to France.
On the other hand, Mbappé, Giroud, and Griezmann trio can destroy Argentina easily. So, we have to wait until Sunday to see the winner of the Argentina vs France World Cup final 2022.
Women's Football: FC Brahmanbaria beat Cumilla United 2-0
FC Brahmanbaria beat Cumilla United 2-0 in the Bashundhara Group Women's Football League 2021-22 at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mustafa Kamal Stadium in the capital's Kamalapur on Wednesday.
Amena scored first for FC Brahmanbaria in the 34th minute (1-0), and Sagorika sealed the fate of the match by scoring one more goal in the 81st minute (2-0).
In the day's other match, Suddopuskorini JSC beat Siraj Smriti Sangsad 1-0 at the same venue.
Siraj Smriti Sangsad defender Joynab scored an own goal in the 19th minute.
Read: Women's Football: Bashundhara Kings maintain winning run
Morocco face France in politically charged World Cup semifinal
Hind Sabouni bristles with pride as she recalls her country's history-making World Cup run as it eliminated one European soccer powerhouse and former colonial power after another — Belgium, Spain and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal — to become the first African and Arab nation to reach the semifinals.
For the 26-year-old English teacher in Morocco's capital, and many of her countrymen both inside the North African nation and throughout the diaspora, it's about to get more complicated. Next up is France: The defending champion and Morocco’s former colonial ruler for much of the first half of the 20th century.
Wednesday’s match has political and emotional resonance for both nations. It dredges up everything that’s complex about the relationship in which France still wields considerable economic, political and cultural influence.
“This game is one of a kind,” Sabouni said. “Especially since France is next to beat.”
“We can show the rest of the world that Morocco is no longer France’s backyard."
For the former protectorate, the match against the defending champion is an opportunity to show that Morocco is a formidable foe — on the soccer pitch at least — even though immigration between the two countries has blurred the lines for many in France and Morocco about who to support Wednesday in Qatar.
Read more: Motherly love boosts Morocco’s team spirit at World Cup
Over the past decade, Morocco’s relationship with France has changed. Sabouni said her generation of Moroccans is tired of France’s dominance. Young Moroccans, she said, “speak English instead of French, they buy more American products than French ones and even those who want to seek a better life abroad try to avoid France.”
“Even though this is just a football game, some people view it as an opportunity for revenge,” Sabouni said.
But not everyone.
Kenza Bartali, a communications professional in Rabat, sees no political overtones to the match. She obtained her master's degree in France, and lived for two years in Paris and the southern cities of Nice and Toulon between 2016 and 2018. She made “wonderful friends" who are still her friends today. “Most Moroccan students were treated with respect," the 26-year-old said.
Still, there is no doubt which team she's supporting.
“I sincerely hope that Morocco advances to the final,” Bartali said. “I am aware that it will be difficult because France is a very good team, but we are hoping for the best.”
Sabouni's sentiments resonate with Moroccans and other North Africans in France. Although the younger generation of immigrants and their descendants appear to be more at ease with multiple identities and languages in France, they still face institutional discrimination, racial and ethnic prejudice in public life, economic hardship and lack of job opportunities.
As in previous World Cups, France once again has turned to their national soccer team made up of players from diverse backgrounds as evidence that the country has indeed become a melting pot despite lurking prejudice, stoked against immigrants by elected right-wing politicians.
“Cultural changes and changes in life on the ground do have an effect and the team represents that,” said Laurent Dubois, a professor at University of Virginia in Charlottesville who has authored two books on French and international soccer.
Read more: Morocco become first African & Arab nation to reach WC semis
“The way the players inhabit being French and don’t seem to have an issue with also being African or anything else at the same time is an antidote to the immigrant resentment on the right.”
In Morocco, people have embraced the team's foreign-born players as their native sons. They welcome the experience and professionalism they bring from Europe's top clubs and are proud they chose Morocco as their national team when they could have played for the countries of their births, from Spain to Canada to Belgium and beyond.
The Morocco national team depends heavily on the diaspora, with 14 of the squad’s 26 players born abroad, including their French-born coach, Walid Regragui, the highest proportion for any team at the World Cup.
Like Morocco’s supporters at home and an estimated 5 million scattered around Europe and beyond, many players grapple with family tales of colonial history, the challenges of immigration and questions of national loyalty. They want desperately to detach from the burdens of the past and win a place in the World Cup final — whether home for them is in France or Morocco, or Belgium, Canada, Tunisia, Algeria or elsewhere.
“Most of the Moroccan players who were born abroad chose Morocco as their national team because they feel they play for more than just to win a football match,” said Maher Mezahi, a Marseille-based Algerian journalist covering African football. “They play to elevate national pride and to make their family proud."
For Regragui, his and his player's dual identities are meaningless in the biggest match the squad has faced.
“I’m a dual national, and that’s an honor and a pleasure,” the Moroccan coach said. “And it’s an honor and a pleasure to face France. But I’m the Morocco coach and we’re going to be playing the best team in the world. The most important thing is to get through to the final.”
“When we play for the Moroccan national team, we are Moroccans,” Regragui said.
France vs Morocco Semi-Final Preview: FIFA World Cup 2022
France’s reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar was much anticipated. But no one ever thought that Morocco would emerge as their opponent in the semi. Moroccans are said to be a dark horse in this tournament. Will the African team, which has produced one surprise after another, be able to stun the football world once more? We will get the answer tonight. The French will enter the field as favorites as they are ahead in apparent numbers, strength, and experience. Let’s get to know more from this France vs Morocco semi-final preview.
When and Where France vs Morocco Semi-final Match Will Be Held?
France and Morocco will meet at Al Bayt Stadium on December 15 at 1 AM Bangladesh time.
France vs Morocco: Head-to-Head Records So Far
Hakim Ziyech’s team became the first African country to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. This time the biggest obstacle in front of them is the current world champion France. Let’s take a look at the statistics of these two teams before the semi-final battle.
The first question that will come to everyone’s mind is who is ahead in the fight between these two teams in the World Cup. The answer is that this is the first time these two teams are facing each other in the World Cup. Although the Moroccan national team started in 1955, these two teams have not met in the World Cup until now. And now we are seeing them in a time where they can make history if they win.
Although they have not met in the World Cup, these two teams have met 11 times in international football, where France is quite ahead. In their eleven meetings, France won 7 matches, Moroccans won one, and three matches were drawn. However, Morocco won its first appearance in 1963.
Meanwhile, France and Morocco have faced each other in various minor tournaments. France has won every time there. The last time these two teams faced each other was in 2007. However, it was a 2-2 draw. But this time the stage is different. And in this World Cup, Morocco’s strength is also very evident.
Read More: Argentina erupts in joy after team reaches World Cup final
Performance of France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup So Far
France was one of the 13 teams that played in the inaugural World Cup in 1930. With this, France has appeared in the 16 World Cup and won the cup two times. Except for the loss to Tunisia in the group stage, France’s Qatar World Cup journey was very smooth.
After beating Poland in the round of 16, they faced a strong team, England, in the quarter-final. However, that match was moderately easy, too; they won by a 2-1 goal. Both teams fought hard in the heavyweight match of the quarter-finals. However, the entire responsibility for England’s loss to France should be on the captain Harry Kane. In the 84th minute of the match, England trailed by 2-1 goals. And just at that moment, England got a penalty. Earlier, Kane equalized England by scoring from the spot kick. However, Kane missed the second penalty, and they had to leave the World Cup.
But the French team is at an excellent pace. France’s attacking trio is in rhythm. Kylian Mbappe with 5 goals tops the list of highest goal scorers. Expert striker Olivier Giroud scored 4 goals, including the quarter-final winning goal against England. Forward Antoine Griezmann is playing great despite not seeing a goal so far. He assisted two goals in a 2-1 win against the English.
France has no injury update, and no player is missing the game. So, they will start the match with the main squad.
France’s players to watch
Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Read More: Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to reach World Cup final
Morocco's Performance in the FIFA 2022 World Cup So Far
Meanwhile, in addition to being undefeated in the World Cup, Morocco has conceded only one goal. That, too, was an own goal against Canada. As a result, there is no opportunity to question Morocco’s defense. They went to the last sixteen as the group’s best and sent off the 2010 World Cup champion Spain in a penalty shootout. After that, they beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s team Portugal by 1-0 at the scheduled time and booked their ticket to the semis.
But Morocco may fall behind in the field from one side. And that is the experience of not playing in the semi-finals on such a world stage. Where France is playing in the semi-final for the seventh time in the World Cup. However, the ‘Giant Destroyer’ Moroccans have already proved that they have the ability to send off another strong team. Their excellent defensive performance has contributed greatly to Morocco’s unprecedented success.
Morocco’s main strength is their defensive understanding, above all, the mental acuity to use their plans on the field. Rather than defense, however, Morocco will look to Sofyan Amrabat to keep France’s midfield inactive. Essentially Amravati will need to flare up one more to stop Griezmann. Along with that, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s great form will keep them ahead mentally.
Romain Saiss’s injury could be a concern for Morocco. If he doesn’t return, there won’t be much chance to stop Giroud. Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui may be able to handle Mbappe and Dembele in the pace game in two wings. However, if Giroud can commit a few passes in the match to either of them, then danger will appear in Morocco’s defense.
Morocco’s players to watch
Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi, and Yassine Bounou.
Read More: Modrić's dream of winning World Cup ends
Squads of France & Morocco in the Semi-final of FIFA World Cup 2022
Probable Starting Squad of France Against Morocco
Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
Probable Starting Squad of Morocco Against France
Bounou; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
France vs Morocco Semi-final Match Result Prediction
France is clearly ahead of Morocco in terms of experience and pace. So, according to experts, France will easily win this game. They may score at least 2 goals without conceding any goal.
Final Words
France vs Morocco semi-final of FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 will be an exciting match, with both teams will surely fight hard for the win. Both teams possess the skill and talent to make a thrilling match, and the winner could be decided by a moment of brilliance or a mistake. France is the favorite to win this match, but Morocco has the ability to surprise and put up a good fight.
Women's Football: Bashundhara Kings maintain winning run
Bashundhara Kings and Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College Sporting Club maintained their all-win run in the Bashundhara Group Women's Football League 2021-22 outplaying their rivals at the Bir Shreshta Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mustafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Tuesday.
Bashundhara Kings, which earned a huge 10-1 goals victory over Suddopuskorini JSC in the last match, today (Tuesday) piled up another massive 11-0 goals victory over Nasrin Sports Academy in the afternoon.
Read more: Women's Football: Bashundhara Kings, Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College earn massive win
National forward cum captain Sabina Akhter, Anuching Moguni and Sumaiya made hat tricks for the Kings in the day's match scoring four, three and three goals respectively while Sanjida netted the remaining goal.
This was 2nd consecutive hattrick for Anuching Mogini in the league after making hattrick with four goals in the previous match against Suddopuskorini JSC.
Read more: Women's football: Uttara FC thrash Farashganj SC 4-0
In the day's other match, Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College Sporting Club crushed Jamalpur Kacharipara Akadash by 9-0 goals at the same venue.
Forward Aklima Khatun, who made double hattrick against Nasrin Sports Academy in their 14-0 goals victory in the last match, today (Tuesday) also made double hattrick against Jamalpur KA scoring six goals while Shohagi Kisku and Afeida Khondakar netted two other goals for the winners.
BPL Football begins on Friday at three venues
The eleven-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football, country’s most prestigious football competition, begins on Friday (December 9) at three venues in the capital and in district headquarters.
Holders and Independence Cup champions Bashundhara Kings will play newcomer Azampur Football Club, Uttara at Bashundhara Sports Complex in Dhaka, Dhaka Abahani Limited will face Fortis Football Club Ltd at Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla while Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will meet Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society at Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj, all matches will kick off at 2:30 pm on the opening day (Friday).
In the remaining first round matches, Dhaka Mohammedan SC Ltd will encounter Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad KC Ltd at Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla while Independence Cup finalist Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra will play Bangladesh Police FC at Bashundhara Sports Complex, both will kick-off at 2:30 pm.
The 2nd round league matches will be held on December 23-24 after a 12-day recess for the victory day while the 3rd round matches will be held on December 30-31 after the Christmas Day.
The first phase league scheduled to be completed on February 18 as per fixture announced by Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Thursday.
World Cup: One killed in fight between Argentine fans in Bhola
A 21-year-old football fan was killed and seven others were injured in a clash between Argentine fans in Bhola Sadar upazila on Tuesday night.
The deceased was identified as Md Hridoy from Dhania union of the upazila.
The injured identified as Md Nayon, 17, Abdullah, 24, Mohiuddin, 23, Liton, 22, Sahabuddin, 20, Md Ashiq, 20, and Talha, 20, are now undergoing treatment at Bhola Sadar Hospital.
A fight between some supporters of Argentina took place in the Dhaniya union over a food party surrounding Argentina's match against Australia Sunday, locals said.
Supporters of the Latin American team again got into a brawl over the issue around 11pm on Tuesday, leaving eight people injured.
Of them, Hridoy was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries early Wednesday.
Md Shaheen Fakir, officer-in-charge of Bhola Police Station, said they arrested two people over the incident Wednesday and efforts are on to arrest others.
Earlier, a case was filed following the incident, he added.
Bangladesh is known as a cricket-loving nation, but a passion for the Argentina and Brazil football teams sweeps the country ahead of and during the World Cup. The flags of Argentina and Brazil fly everywhere.
The World Cup is now taking a small break after non-stop football for the past two weeks. There will be two days of rest before the quarterfinals start in Qatar on December 9.
Argentina beat Australia to get into the last eight. Brazil, which had Neymar back in the lineup after an ankle injury, is there as well, after a 4-1 win over South Korea.
Read more: Argentina fan electrocuted while hoisting flag in Gaibandha
Can Brazil Win the FIFA World Cup for the 6th Time?
Brazil has been an international powerhouse in football for decades. The country has won the World Cup an astonishing five times, with the last victory attained in 2002. The Brazilian national team, known as 'The Selecao,' is now looking to make history by becoming the first nation to win the tournament six times. The team is determined to mission Hexa and bring the trophy back to Brazil. Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2022 team has been reinforced by some of the world's best players and will be looking to reclaim their place atop the world of football.
Now the question is, can Brazil win the World Cup for the sixth time?
Brazil's World Cup 2022 performance so far
Brazil's group stage performance was not satisfactory for the fans as they lost the last group stage match against Cameroon. However, it was unexpected as the lineup contained the expensive and best young players of the team. But, whether it was a win or loss, that match for Brazil was about checking their bench strength.
With the last sixteen already confirmed, some players needed a rest as well. All in all, Tite has walked the path of change in the starting eleven. Nine changes from the previous match. 39-year-old Dani Alves led the field with the youngest attack in 6 decades.
So, apparently, Brazil was not bothered with that match, which we have understood in the round of 16 games against South Korea. The 4-1 victory over South Korea proved their excellency and showed that Brazil is one of the top contenders for the World Cup 2022. In their other two matches against Serbia and Switzerland, Brazil got the easy win.
Read More: Argentina or Brazil: Which team's prospects look better in Qatar World Cup?
With their massive success against South Korea, Brazilian footballers are sending a message to the world that they are serious about reclaiming their place in the global football landscape.
Brazil's road to final, will it be smooth?
The Seleçao Canarinho are only two matches away from the final. They will face Croatia in the quarter-finals. Overall, both teams faced each other four times, Brazil won 3 matches, and 1 match was drawn. The two countries have met twice in World Cup. This will be the third time. Selecao left the field with 100% victory in the previous two times. Although Brazil is ahead in terms of statistics and power, one incident after another has made this World Cup exciting.
Croatia defeated Japan in a tiebreaker in the other pre-quarterfinal on Monday. Japan went ahead by scoring first. Croatia leveled the score in the second half. As the result of the game was 1-1 at the scheduled time, the match went to extra time. There was no goal either. Finally, Croatia reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup after defeating Japan in a tiebreaker. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved Japan's three penalties in the tiebreaker. So, it seems finding a gap in Livakovic's goalpost will be a bit difficult for Brazil.
Read More: Brazil Team Analysis for 2022 World Cup in Qatar
However, Brazil has a world-class team this year, and Neymar is back from injury. This is the biggest strength for Brazil. But Brazil can do well without Neymar too. They have Richarlison, Casemiro and Vinícius Júnior.
So, Brazil has a great chance of winning the quarter-final. After that, they will face either Argentina or Netherlands in the semifinal. And considering the performance of these two teams in the Qatar World Cup, Brazil will be ahead too.
Which Brazilian players may shine in the next rounds?
While Brazil has a strong defense, the midfield and attacking are also incredible. However, goal scorers are the one who takes the team to the next round. And as per the performance, Richarlison, Casemiro, and Vinícius Júnior are at the peak of their career for the national team. And obviously, Neymar is there too.
Neymar
Injuries and Neymar are like two sides of a coin. The depth of their relationship is really evident on the World Cup stage. The Brazilian star striker left the field at the end of the match with an ankle injury during the match against Serbia and missed the group stage. Neymar is back in the team and scored his first goal at Qatar World Cup. He had a player rating of 8 in that match. Apparently, Neymar will be a performance booster for the team in the next matches.
Read More: Will Deepika Padukone unveil FIFA World Cup trophy at the finals?
Richarlison
He already scored three goals in this World Cup, with a double goal in the first match against Serbia. While Neymar was playing his regular game against Serbia, Richarlison stole the limelight with a pair of goals. Especially the crowd-pleasing aesthetic bicycling shot goal sticks like magic in the eyes of football lovers. His rating was 9 in that match.
Richarlison's goal against South Korea was also eye-soothing. While he was surrounded by the defenders, Richarlison danced the ball four times on his head. After that, he beat two defenders and scored. So, he will be a trump card for Brazil in upcoming matches.
Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Jr. has been shining under Zinedine Zidane in Real Madrid. But he couldn't score. Italy's legendary coach, Carlo Ancelotti, returned to Real Madrid's dugout and changed Vini's playing style. Now he has become one of the key players for Brazil at the Qatar World Cup. He was one of the top players against Serbia and Switzerland in the group stage. But missed the goal. He got a goal against South Korea. However, he also got several chances in that match. Vini's rating was 9 against South Korea.
Vini was in great form at Real Madrid. Played an outstanding role in winning La Liga Champions League. Then Brazil coach Tite talked to Carlo Ancelotti about Vinicius. How was he playing Vini? What was the strategy so that he gets the same Vini in the Brazil jersey. And it seems it worked out perfectly!
Read More: Which Countries have Won FIFA Football World Cup Trophy?
Final words
Brazil has won the World Cup five times, the most of any country. Still, the team that did not win the World Cup in 1982 is regarded as the best team in Brazil. However, experts think the 2022 World Cup team is almost equivalent to 1982's team, and they are proving it too. The whole team is in great form, and there are a bunch of energetic players available on the bench too. So, apparently, Brazil seems to be unstoppable and has a great possibility to complete their mission Hexa in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.