Defying all the odds, a high-flying Morocco are now standing between the France and a second successive World Cup final when the two semi-finalists face each other at Al Bayt Stadium in Doha Wednesday.
The Atlas Lions rewrote the history book, reaching the semis as the first Arab and African team, and are the first of two hurdles for the Les Bleus, who have the chance to win consecutive World Cups – a rare feat only achieved by Italy in 1934 and 1938 and latest by Brazil, in 1958 and 1962.
Morocco were never in the scenario as favorites before the tournament – not by pundits, and not even by their fans, but the way they have advanced to this stage is not looking like a fluke anymore.
Walid Regragui's side have already met four top European nations – Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal – beating the last three and conceding zero goals in the process.
They only conceded once in the whole tournament, that too was an unfortunate own goal by Nayef Aguerd during their 2-1 win against Canada.
And now, they are here to play their part against mighty France, but their hunger, supported by passionate fans from near and afar, is quite visible.
"If we are happy just to reach semi-final and some see that as enough, I don't agree. If you get to the semi-finals and you are not hungry then there is a problem. The best team in the tournament, Brazil, are already out. We are an ambitious team and we are hungry, but I don't know if that will be enough,” said Regragui in the pre-match press conference yesterday.
The recent record against the Europeans is giving Regragui huge strength and belief before their last four meeting with Didier Deschamps' side.
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There were some injury concerns, including inspirational captain Romain Saiss, but according to the coach, nothing is decided yet with regards to the starting XI.
"We had perhaps the most difficult route to the semis. Every round people thought we would get knocked out but we are still here and we are going to fight to the end," he said.
"We have a number of injuries but we have an excellent medical staff who are working hard and coming with good news every day," Regragui added.
"We will have to wait till last minute, we tend to do that, no one is out, but no one is definitely in either," he said.
France on the other hand tasted their only defeat in the tournament at the hands of Tunisia – another African side – as Deschamps deployed a second-string XI in the third and final group stage game after securing the last-16 place.
Les Bleus, in that match, had experienced the vibe on and off the field first hand - with the Tunisians being an Arab and North African side like the Moroccans - which will help them prepare before entering a similar atmosphere – undoubtedly much superior this time in terms of depth and intensity.
"I don't like the term hostile but there is a popular fervor behind them. It will be very noisy and my players have been warned about that. They know what to expect," said Deschamps at their pre-match press conference.
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, one of the contenders for the player of the tournament accolade, is in outstanding World Cup form after changing his role to go deep in midfield for the sake of his country as France lost several key players due to injuries.
"Antoine has been very good and he will need to be very good again. He is playing in a different role but it is one that suits him. He takes as much pleasure from winning a tackle as from playing a pass and has always thought about the team as a whole," said Deschamps, heaping praise on the 31-year old.
