France vs Morocco: Kylian Mbappe going up against Achraf Hakimi, Check out TOP 5 MATCHUPS, Follow FIFA World Cup 2022

France vs Morocco: FIFA World Cup: France will meet Morocco in the second semi-final in Qatar. France advanced to this stage after defeating England 2-1 in a tough game, while Morocco upset Portugal 1-0 to become the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final, a momentous occasion for the continent. As Les Blues take on Atlas Lions for a spot in the finals, from Kylian Mbappe against Achraf Hakimi to talented feats of Olivier Giroud, Hakim Ziyech as Yousseff En-Nesyri, here are the top key battles to watch out for. Watch FIFA WC LIVE Streaming with Jio Cinemas & Follow France Morocco LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN

France vs Morocco: From Kylian Mbappe going up against Achraf Hakimi to exploits of Hakim Ziyech & Olivier Giroud, Check out TOP 5 MATCHUPS, Follow FIFA World Cup 2022

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France vs Morocco: From Kylian Mbappe going up against Achraf Hakimi to exploits of Hakim Ziyech & Olivier Giroud, Check out TOP 5 MATCHUPS, Follow FIFA World Cup 2022

Kylian Mbappe vs Achraf Hakimi

Morocco has only conceded one goal in the tournament, an own goal in a 2-1 group stage win against Canada, with Croatia, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal all unable to penetrate a rock-solid back line. However, France has a number of goal threats. Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud have combined for nine goals, and the absences of Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann will be a source of concern.

In the most obvious matchup, Kylian Mbappe takes on Achraf Hakimi. The Paris Saint-Germain teammates will know everything about each other, which might offer Hakimi an advantage. However, the right-back will need to stay deeper than normal, limiting Morocco’s usual creative production. However, Mbappe’s inability to track back complicates matters.

See you soon my Friend ❤️🤝🏽 @KMbappe

— Achraf Hakimi (@AchrafHakimi) December 10, 2022

The France superstar is in fantastic form and is currently the tournament’s leading scorer with 5 goals – he’ll not likely want to add to his total and win the Golden Boot. Mbappé is one of the quickest players in the world, reaching speeds of up to 22 miles per hour during this year’s competition, and he is also the world’s second-most expensive footballer. Throughout the campaign, his speed and talent have caused major issues for opposing teams, particularly England.

France vs Morocco: From Kylian Mbappe going up against Achraf Hakimi to exploits of Hakim Ziyech & Olivier Giroud, Check out TOP 5 MATCHUPS, Follow FIFA World Cup 2022

Olivier Giroud vs Jawad El Hamiq

Morocco has already achieved history by being the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final. Their success has been predicated on a tenacious defense led by 24-year-old Achraf Hakimi. The Paris Saint-Germain defender is regarded as one of the top right-backs in the world due to his quickness and goal-scoring abilities. He was born and raised in Madrid and scored Morocco’s game-winning penalty against Spain in the last 16. However, Morocco has been good in defense, and Hakimi’s stats in this area are superior. He has made ten more tackles than Hernandez (9), as well as seven more interceptions (3).

Les Bleus are attempting to do something no country has done since Brazil 60 years ago: effectively defend the men’s World Cup. Olivier Giroud is one of the main players France will be looking to assist them to reach that goal. Earlier in the tournament, Giroud became his country’s all-time leading men’s scorer with his 52nd international goal against Poland. In Saturday’s quarter-final against England, he added to his score by scoring the game-winning goal in the 78th minute.

Keep doubting Olivier Giroud 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Z0jLC7JJYk

— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 10, 2022

Morocco starting without the pair of Nayef Aguerd and Roman Saiss might be a little too much of a downtrodden for them however, Hamiq and Darl are seen to have just about enough to keep Giroud at bay. Lest Giroud breaks free of the central duo, Giroud will have the likes of Yassine Bono to go beyond in finding the net.

France vs Morocco: From Kylian Mbappe going up against Achraf Hakimi to exploits of Hakim Ziyech & Olivier Giroud, Check out TOP 5 MATCHUPS, Follow FIFA World Cup 2022

Theo Hernandez vs Hakim Ziyech

Morocco’s style is direct, and while they prefer to play on the flanks, with Hakim Ziyech on the right and Sofiane Boufal on the left, they can also go along to striker Youssef En-Nesyri and then sprint forward in support. France’s full-backs Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez will expect a busy night, while Morocco will aim to capitalize on any errors by center-half Dayot Upamecano, who struggled against England.

Fans have dubbed him “The Wizard,” after supporters of the Dutch team Ajax, where he played before joining the Blues, for the magic Ziyech performs on the field. Born in the Netherlands to Moroccan parents, he played for Dutch national junior teams before switching to Morocco at the senior level. The 29-year-old announced his retirement from international football earlier this year but returned to the squad with the appointment of current coach Walid Regragui. Ziyech scored his first goal against Canada in the World Cup 2022.

The left-hand side has been a key area of success for the Atlas lions but with Theo Hernadez on that flank, Hakim Ziyech will face a tough opponent. The AC Milan full-back has two assists in Qatar to Hakimi’s one and has over three times the number of key passes (11) compared to his Moroccan counterpart, Achraf Hakimi. (3).

France vs Morocco: From Kylian Mbappe going up against Achraf Hakimi to exploits of Hakim Ziyech & Olivier Giroud, Check out TOP 5 MATCHUPS, Follow FIFA World Cup 2022

Aurélien Tchouaméni vs Sofya Amrabat

Most people believe Morocco would eventually succumb to France’s attacking resources, but that France does not employ the same tactical strategy as Morocco’s previous opponents. Belgium, Spain, and Portugal are content to hog possession and territory, whilst France will not press hard and will prefer to sit deep. Morocco has an issue with this. Their tactical technique entails dragging the opposition forward with their own deep line, followed by high-octane passes to work around the press and break into the gaps behind. That is why, despite having the second-lowest possession rate in the competition (32.4%), Morocco cannot be labeled a strictly defensive squad.

Aurélien Tchouaméni, a 22-year-old France midfielder, is already making an impact for club and nation. He joined Real Madrid in the summer for £85 million and has since established himself as a first-team regular. Despite only making his senior international debut in September of last year, he has already earned 19 caps for France. Last week, he scored his first World Cup goal against England, blasting home a long-range shot in the 17th minute. His long-range strikes allow France to retain the pressure on the opponent despite the fact that they are sitting deep below.

🫡 @atchouameni scored his first 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 against England at just 𝟮𝟮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 of age!

And how… ☄️#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/9IzrcwjsHJ

— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) December 12, 2022

For Morocco, Sofyan Amrabat is vital in press-evasion tactics, while Boufal appreciates the space available in these artificial transitions, but Morocco will be required to contend with a large number of bodies being behind the ball. This will slow down their football and take away their main strength, giving Didier Deschamps a significant advantage.

France vs Morocco: From Kylian Mbappe going up against Achraf Hakimi to exploits of Hakim Ziyech & Olivier Giroud, Check out TOP 5 MATCHUPS, Follow FIFA World Cup 2022

Raphael Varane vs Youssef En-Nesyri

France will most certainly have lots of possession in the Moroccan half, but they must be wary of quick counter-attacks. Morocco expended a lot of energy in their victories against Spain and Portugal, and with some players injured, Wednesday’s encounter will be a true test of their endurance and stamina. Didier Deschamps’ side will want to make use of their fitness edge by making Morocco work hard without the ball, switching play, and forcing Regragui’s squad to chase the ball, especially early on.

France, on the other hand, will be warry of one individual, Youssef En Nesyri. Youssef En-Nesyri has made a continent’s dream come true. The whole African continent clapped as Morocco defeated Portugal to reach the World Cup 2022 semifinals, becoming the first African country to accomplish so. And the man behind it was Youssef En-Nesyri. He scored the game-winning goal, giving Morocco its biggest victory in history.

While, France do have the perfect contender to keep him at bay. Raphael Varane. On his days, Varane can be the one-man army to keep the danger away from the France post. Although Varane has been underperforming this World cup owing to his knee injury ahead of it. The former Real Madrid defender has averaged 0.7 aerial duels won per 90 minutes. Varane, on the other hand, is looking good. He has completed 89.8% of his passes and is averaging 42.7 passes and 1.7 long balls per match.

France vs Morocco: From Kylian Mbappe going up against Achraf Hakimi to exploits of Hakim Ziyech & Olivier Giroud, Check out TOP 5 MATCHUPS, Follow FIFA World Cup 2022

It remains to be seen whether they have another upset in them, but the team spirit and momentum they have developed during the tournament has benefited their bid for glory. With important centre-backs Aguerd and Romain Saiss missing against Les Bleus, the psychological aspect will only go them so far. Meanwhile, France suffered injuries to Karim Benzema, Christopher Nkunku, Paul Pogba, and N’Golo Kante before the tournament began, but has the depth to ensure those four players aren’t missed in Qatar.