“We want to go to the final and win” – Morocco coach Walid Regragui issues warning to France ahead of FIFA World Cup semifinal
Morocco manager Walid Regragui has thrown down the gauntlet to France ahead of his team's 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal clash on Wednesday (December 14).
The Atlas Lions have become the underdog story of the tournament in Qatar. Regragui's side beat 2010 FIFA World Cup champions Spain 3-0 on penalties in the last 16. They then beat 2016 UEFA European Champions Portugal 1-0 in the last eight.
Morocco will now be up against the reigning champions. Regragui was buoyant ahead of the clash at the Al Bayt Stadium. In a pre-match press conference, he said that Morocco won't be content at reaching the last four, saying (via RMC Sport):
“We want to go to the final and win. We are ready to do anything to achieve this goal. We will have extraordinary energy tomorrow. Saying that we are satisfied to have reached the semifinals does not suit us, be the only chance to win it. We're not tired; tomorrow we're going to race."
No matter what happens, Morocco has done football proud 🇲🇦❤️ https://t.co/g94l9XyFZl
Morocco have made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals. They are also unbeaten and have conceded just once in five games.
However, their toughest test comes against Didier Deschamps' side, who beat England 2-1 in the quarterfinals. France are fourth in the FIFA World rankings, while Morocco are 22nd.
The Atlas Lions will need to keep Les Bleus marksman Kylian Mbappe quiet. The Frenchman has bagged five goals in as many games thus far, the joint-most at the tournament along with Argentina's Lionel Messi.
Croatia's Dominik Livakovic could be hero again against Argentina in FIFA World Cup semifinal
Croatia face Argentina in the first FIFA World Cup semifinal on Tuesday (December 13). The Vatreni have had an impressive run to the last four, like Morocco.
Both advanced from Group F, beating group favourites Belgium to reach the knockouts. However, Zlatko Dalic's side have yet to win a knockout game in regulation time.
Their campaign at the FIFA World Cup has been a story of heroics from goalkeeper Livakovic. The Dinamo Zagreb shot-stopper has been an immovable object in goal for Croatia. He conjured a hat-trick of penalty saves to secure a 3-1 shootout victory over Japan in the last 16.
Livakovic then saved Real Madrid winger Rodrygo's spot-kick in yet another shootout win for the Vatreni, this time in the quarterfinals against Brazil.
Dominik Livakovic’s game by numbers vs. Brazil:
81% pass accuracy
51 touches
26 passes completed
11 saves
7 saves rom close range
6 long balls completed
1 Penalty shootout save
1 goal conceded
Big game keeper. 🧤 https://t.co/S3fUd4FjX5
Croatia will hope the Zagreb stopper is at his best against Argentina at the Lusail Stadium. He shouldn't have a problem dealing with pressure, previously saying (via the Guardian):
“Honestly, I like playing big matches, that adrenaline and the atmosphere that can be felt in the air. That’s when I have the highest concentration.”
Livakovic's 11 saves in the Brazil win is the most in a World Cup game in eight years. His four penalty saves (across two shootouts) is a World Cup record.