The Quarter-final matches were concluded as England hosted France at the Al-Bayt Stadium.
The beat four at the World Cup has been certified . The question for the now is who wants it more. France , Croatia , Argentina , Morocco ?
France were the winners of the contest against a gingered England team that lacked luck, however , its now clear who the semi-finalists are . Argentina , France, Croatia and surprisingly African giant, Morocco.
No matter what team prevails in the finals and thus winning it will set records .
For France they will be retaining for the World Cup for the first time in several decades, Croatia will be appearing in their second successive World Cup final, Morocco has already set the record and will be looking forward to bettering it if the can make it to the finals, Messi’s Argentina will seek to win their third World Cup.
What are the talking points
Can Croatia qalify for another final ?
Luka Modric’ will look to force Croatia into another final. The mercurial midfielder is gradually becoming one of the greatest Midfielders the World has ever seen.
Four years ago in Moscow, he led from the front and is ready to take that one step . Croatia will jave to lean on him for this success.
Morocco World Cup trail blazer
Morocco has shattered the tables in the World Cup, winning Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the Semi finals , can they cement this African record ?
Walid Regragui is already the World Cup’s most impressive manager but so much would look to be out of his hands and in those of the Moroccan medical and physio teams’ now. Every other one of the semi-finalists held a training session on Sunday. Morocco’s media schedule simply read “rest day”.
France at it again
England threw everything they had and still Didier Deschamps’ side found their way through what was arguably the toughest match of this World Cup campaign…or their last.
France can beat you in so many ways but they appear to have found real comfort in beating you on the break. Their midfield sat deep and was more than happy to let England try to break them down, with Deschamps’ side content with 36% possession.
They have conceded in every game here yet never more than once, and clearly back their attacking quartet to get the job done at the other end. As much as Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud have grabbed records, headlines and man-of-the-match gongs, it is Antoine Griezmann who has been their subtle destroyer.
In both knockout matches they have found themselves two goals to the good with 20 minutes to go and contrived to throw away one win and almost lose aanother
Can Argentina stand another disappointment
A campaign that started not with a wobble, so much as a lurch towards the exit door before they’d properly made their entry is still on track. But if that collapse against Saudi Arabia was their first falter, there have been two serious repeats since.
In both knockout matches they have found themselves two goals to the good with 20 minutes to go and contrived to throw away one win and almost lose another.
The Dutch free-kick routine which brought us to extra-time was brilliant from an Oranje perspective but brainless stuff from Argentina.
They almost contrived to let the Socceroos do the same at the death in the last 16.
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