World Cup tips: One last shock, as Morocco prepare to see off France

Matty Briggs
14 December 2022

World Cup dark horses Morocco will be hoping there is at least one more big shock left in the World Cup as they take on France on Wednesday night.

Morocco are undoubtedly the tournament's surprise package.

If only we had listened to Jordan coach Adnan Hamad, who suggested that the Atlas Lions of Morocco could be the surprise team.

"It has 20 professional players from major European Leagues. In the qualifiers, it passed with flying colours and has a major chance of progressing from the group.

"I believe that the Moroccan team has the best set of players, and the opportunity is in their hands to be the dark horse of the tournament," said Hamad.

Morocco are dogged and determined and their coach Walid Regragui says his team wins easily for passion and desire.

That has certainly been abundant in their matches so far, with just once goal conceded.

They are a very tight defensive unit that has stopped Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal from scoring.

A lack of possession will not worry them either. They have had less than 33% on average to date - only Costa Rica has lower - but they remain a threat on the counter-attack.

And in Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat, Achraf Hakimi and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, they have players who can compete with the very best.

France have shown glimpses of their class, but they were fortunate to edge past England and that may have taken more out of them than they realise.

Les Bleus have yet to really sparkle in the tournament and they will need to do so to get past a Morocco side that were very under-rated heading into the tournament.

Didier Deschamps men are sprinkled with talent, but Morocco might just have the answers to keep France at bay.