DOHA — Defending champions
France on Sunday
trained their sights on a World Cup semifinal against surprise package Morocco
as Argentina and Lionel Messi prepare to take on Croatia, reported AFP.
اضافة اعلان
Didier Deschamps’ men edged past England in a thrilling
quarterfinal in Qatar to move one step closer to becoming the first team to
retain the trophy in 60 years.
They will meet Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium on Wednesday
after the African team sent
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal packing to become the
first African and Arab team in history to reach the last four.
France were second best for long spells against Gareth
Southgate’s England on Saturday and were grateful for a late Harry Kane penalty
miss as they won 2-1.
Achraf Hakimi sent out a tweet to his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe saying: “See you soon my Friend”.
England captain Kane had earlier canceled out Aurelien
Tchouameni’s opener, firing past his Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris from the
penalty spot.
That goal put him level with Wayne Rooney as England’s
all-time leading scorer.
Olivier Giroud headed France back into the lead in the 78th
minute before England were handed a lifeline but this time Kane blasted over
and England’s chance was gone.
Deschamps, who led France to triumph in Russia in 2018, said
his side showed “hearts and guts” to defeat a youthful England team.
“There is quality in this team, but there is also a good
mentality and a state of mind,” he said. “We gave them a little ammunition with
two penalties, but it is with hearts and guts that we held onto this result.”
Deschamps, who also won the World Cup as a player, said
France’s semifinal opponents Morocco, ranked 22nd in the world, “deserve all
our respect and recognition”.
In January 2022, Mbappé tweeted: “ACHRAF HAKIMI. BEST RB IN THE WORLD”.
“They weren’t among the teams we were expecting there, but
it’s anything but a surprise.”
‘See you soon my friend’
After France’s win, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi sent out a tweet
to his Paris Saint-Germain teammate
Kylian Mbappe saying: “See you soon my
Friend”.
Good friends Mbappe and Hakimi will meet on Wednesday for a
semifinal match.
A lot is at stake for both teams and a win would be historic
for either team.
Early in the World Cup the French star visited Hakimi at the
hotel where the Moroccan team was staying in downtown Doha.
In January 2022, Mbappé tweeted: “
ACHRAF HAKIMI. BEST RB IN
THE WORLD,” referring to the right back position Hakimi occupies for club and
country.
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