SF2: France vs Morocco, 7PM GMT, Al Bayt Stadium

[ArsenalFan7]

One of the worst refereeing performances I've seen, how did Amrabat not get booked for that handball at the end  

[av3ry]

Were Morocco banned from shooting inside the box in the second half?

[georginho_juventusygr]

I'll be rooting for France. Deschamps is a great coach.

[Smallen]

Just now, enigmatic said:

Their central defenders have made some very good interventions and there's no doubt they've got another gear in terms of attacking and pressing to go to. But they've also had some proper letoffs

they will have to play much, much better against Argentina than they did today.

[Orzelek]

France in the final again then.

 

But huge kudos to Morocco. What a run and what fighting spirit  

[XuluBak]

The less said about their midfield (and Dembele) the better, but France's backline have been quite good tonight. Konate, Kounde, and Varane have all saved an almost certain goal. Lloris done his part too. 

[Pukey]

If Morocco had a cutting edge it would have been a very close game. If France play like that again then Messi and Alvarez will have fun.

[yann]

4th Final in 24 years.

[Confused Clarity]

I don't think it's fair to characterise France as garbage.

They weren't great, but they took the lead and just decided to try to keep hold of that lead. It's disappointing to see teams slip into second gear, but that's how Deschamps sets out his team to do.

[JD nawrat]

5 minutes ago, Lermon said:

Argentina are gonna be nervously looking at the final

I dunno, i think Messi and Alvarez will fancy their chances against this dodgy defence. 

[yann]

Deschamps listened Rashidi, low block works

[Darren Moores Mum]

You think he was trying to shoot, Rio?

 

Edited December 14, 2022 by ginnybob

[GunmaN1905]

France obviously has weaknesses, but Argentina's defense has been just as dodgy in most matches.

And don't forget one thing, Argentina doesn't have anyone over 180cm except for Romero, French will definitely make most of set-pieces.

Should be a great match.

[The_jagster]

Morocco just showing the limits of being hard working but not having great forwards.

Bend don't break is a reasonable summation of that, have lots of nervy moments but the better chances overall. Felt Morocco really had the upper hand until about 65/70 minutes then fell away a bit. France didn't try the quick counters but were slowing it down instead, presumably because they kept losing it.

 

I think the final could be quite even, both finalists have periods where they don't look great but have moments where key players make the difference.

[The_jagster]

Just now, GunmaN1905 said:

France obviously has weaknesses, but Argentina's defense has been just as dodgy in most matches.

And don't forget one thing, Argentina doesn't have anyone over 180cm except for Romero, French will definitely make most of set-pieces.

Should be a great match.

You told me it will be defence vs defence yesterday

[GunmaN1905]

Just now, The_jagster said:

You told me it will be defence vs defence yesterday

We have different definitions of great.

[Carambau]

Good. Congratulations to France. I truly hope Paris will survive this night.

Edited December 14, 2022 by Carambau

[kopsy101]

5 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said:

France obviously has weaknesses, but Argentina's defense has been just as dodgy in most matches.

And don't forget one thing, Argentina doesn't have anyone over 180cm except for Romero, French will definitely make most of set-pieces.

Should be a great match.

Otamendi is 183 according to google, but your point is correct - Between Giroud, Varane, Konate, Tchoumeni, Rabiot, Foffana...France have a huge advantage.

Gonna be a right interesting game

[yann]

[The Golden boy]

3 hours ago, av3ry said:

Ye, I think the machine has broken. Fair play to him for giving it a go but he needs to rest and recover for the Premiership Turkish Süper Lig battle after on Christmas Day

Saïss now plays for Beşiktaş

[pearcey_90]

For the love of the game, I hope France don’t win again. 

[caragreg]

It's very hard but I don't think it looks like luck at this level, especially since 2016.

1 Nations League, 1 Euro final, 2 World Cup finals. No, it's not chance!

 

France has an exceptional breeding ground because let's not forget that in this semi-final, only Lloris, Varane, Griezmann and Mbappe should start in our best team.

Maignan, Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez, Pavard, Pogba, Kante, Rabiot, NKunku, Benzema are absent ! It's exceptionnal !

[Weezer]

Ah, unlucky Morocco  

If only they had more confidence in themselves and actually had a shot at goal once in a while they probably would have won that. Their fans have been absolutely brilliant and I’m glad they lasted as long as they did.

[sc91]

3 hours ago, The Golden boy said:

Saïss now plays for Beşiktaş

[Confused Clarity]

7 hours ago, Weezer said:

Ah, unlucky Morocco  

If only they had more confidence in themselves and actually had a shot at goal once in a while they probably would have won that. Their fans have been absolutely brilliant and I’m glad they lasted as long as they did.

Could have, rather than would have.

France got their goal and largely sat back for most of the game. They did the same against England. That's how they play under Deschamps. They look to protect a one goal lead rather than get a two goal lead. 

If Morocco had equalised they'd have made more of an effort to get their second.

[oche balboa]

9 hours ago, pearcey_90 said:

For the love of the game, I hope France don’t win again. 

This. 

[oche balboa]

I'm actually hoping Argentina wins. I've never wanted them to win a match ever. But France winning again would be crap

[Barry Cartman]

I win £40 in a sweepstake if France win, and even I want them to lose 

[Toffle]

Hope god hears your prayers. Must be hard to see France hit its 4th WC final in 7 editions when you despise them that much 

[Coulthard's Jaw]

Would be happy to see Big Handsome win another World Cup, shame about how they play though!

[Gricehead]

Full on warfare in Montpellier between Morocco and French fans last night.

 

[decapitated]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63983728

Quote

A 14-year-old boy has been run over and killed in the southern French city of Montpellier shortly after France's World Cup semi-final victory over Morocco.

Authorities said he was struck by a car after the match and then died in hospital.

Images on social media showed a car draped in a French tricolour surrounded by people who then grabbed the flag.

The driver then appeared to panic, accelerating into two teenagers.

As he turned his car around and sped off, the 14-year-old was hit and went into cardiac arrest.

 

[yann]

Il y a 19 heures, Gricehead a dit :

Full on warfare in Montpellier between Morocco and French fans last night.

 

Far right activists have been arrested there. Lots of them in paris, nice montpellier or lyon where only active to start hostilities. 40 of them arrested in Paris with weapons. Seems it's now a way for them to gain political power.