Canada, grab your poutine and sit tight. The World Cup quarter-final in Boston on Thursday hits a little harder for us. Morocco, the team that ended our tournament dreams, now faces France.
At Gillette Stadium, France and Morocco will kick off at 4 p.m. EST on July 9. Canadian fans know Morocco well. They defeated co-host Canada 3-0 in the last 16, scoring three goals from just four shots on target. Morocco looked overwhelmed in the first half but survived the storm. Then Azzedine Ounahi scored twice, followed by Soufiane Rahimi’s goal, sealing the victory. Ruthless and efficient. Now, the Atlas Lions stand between France and a semifinal berth.
A historic rematch four years later
This match carries deep personal weight for both nations. Their last meeting occurred at the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal in Qatar, where France won 2-0. Morocco aims to avenge that defeat. The Atlas Lions are currently red-hot, unbeaten in 10 matches since the AFCON final, and they smell a major upset.
France remains the tournament favorite. Les Bleus have been unbeaten in 12 competitive matches and have won their last seven consecutively. If they win their eighth in a row, they will become the third nation ever to reach three consecutive World Cup semifinals.
Key tactical comparisons
The following table highlights critical differences between the two teams:
| Factor | France | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| Goals in Tournament | 12 (7 by Mbappé) | 8 (3 vs Canada) |
| Draws | 0 | 1 |
| Last 10 Matches | 8 Wins, 2 Draws | 10 Unbeaten |
| Key Strength | Elite Attack | Defensive Resilience |
The Mbappé influence
Kylian Mbappé is in outstanding form. He has scored seven goals at this tournament, making him one of only two players ever to score seven or more goals in two separate World Cups. Lionel Messi is the other. A penalty against Paraguay in the round of 16 was all France needed to overcome a stubborn opponent.
Morocco faces a significant challenge. Their focal-point striker, Ismael Saibari, is a major doubt due to a hamstring injury after coming off early against Canada. This injury blunts their attack considerably.
Predicting the final score
Bookmakers have made a clear call. France are heavy favorites on the moneyline, with Morocco listed as sizeable underdogs and the draw sitting well behind. Betting markets lean toward a lower-scoring game, with the total set right around two and a half goals.
Reading the tea leaves, a 1-0 or 2-0 France win appears the smart prediction. Thirteen of France’s last 16 wins came by two-plus goal margins, while seven of Morocco’s last nine World Cup defeats came by a single goal. France will likely control the tempo, Morocco will defend deep and dangerous, and Mbappé will eventually find the key.
However, Morocco is built to spoil a favorite’s party. Just ask Canada.
Prediction: France 2, Morocco 0 — though don’t be shocked if the Atlas Lions drag it to penalties and break a few more hearts along the way.
- First, France will dominate the early possession.
- Second, Morocco will rely on defensive discipline to survive the first half.
- Third, Mbappé will likely score in the second half to seal the game.