FIFA WC 2022 | SF 2 | Interesting facts about France vs Morocco

History will be made on Wednesday (December 14) as Morocco will become the first African nation from the continent of Africa to play in the semifinal of the FIFA World Cup and its 92-year history. 

Backed by resolute team performance, the African falcons will face a star-studded French side that will be hungry for more success as they try to clinch back-to-back World titles. Ahead of the crunch tie here are some of the interesting facts about the France vs Morocco FIFA World Cup match.

Morocco with a piece of history

Morocco’s golden generation can proudly look back at the golden moments a few years later when they just did not make a nation proud, but an entire continent. Still unbeaten in the tournament, Morocco’s legacy has been stamped on the world stage as the first African nation to reach the FIFA World Cup semifinal. While it looks like a theme now, the achievement is one of the best that can ever happen to a football-crazy continent.

First champion team to reach World Cup final in 24 years

The jinx of the champion has been a long affair in recent times as last the three World Cup winning teams vanished in the group stage of the subsequent tournament. However, not since Brazil in 1998 has a defending champion entered the final of the World Cup and tried their hands at defending the crown. So a win for France will see them break the 24-year jinx of the champion team to reach the final. Interestingly, not since 1962 has a team defended the World title, so it remains to be seen if can France go all the way.

Morocco’s unbeaten run

While the eyes of the world are cast upon big boys like Brazil, Argentina, and France, it is worth noting that Morocco remains one of only two sides yet to be on the losing side in the FIFA World Cup 2022. They drew blank against Croatia on Matchday 1 while they followed that with convincing wins against Belgium and Canada. The knockout stage saw them hammer Spain on penalties while beating Portugal 1-0 in the quarterfinal.

Mbappe on brink of another record

Kylian Mbappe has scored five goals in the FIFA World Cup 2022 and will look to add to his tally once again. However, if he does score again he will become the joint active goal-scorer in the FIFA World Cup at the age of just 23. Currently, Germany’s Thomas Muller holds the accolade with 20 goals and is still an active player who is yet to announce his retirement. That though won’t be of too much concern as another goal will see him break and join Muller altogether.