Issa Diop currently 30/1 to score at any time.... I'm guessing Morocco will try & score from a set piece.... Issa could be the target man
I want Morocco to win this match and the whole tournament. They play some beautiful stuff and Issa is in the team. The technical level of their players is just insane (Issa aside, but he fits them perfectly as he has other qualities). I'd argue they're the most technically sound team in the tournament.
Without getting politcal lol, if Marocco are leading with 10 minutes to go the Mabappe will get a penalty anytimme he falls over from the half way line onwards
Quote from: sunburywhite on July 09, 2026, 02:40:51 PMWithout getting politcal lol, if Marocco are leading with 10 minutes to go the Mabappe will get a penalty anytimme he falls over from the half way line onwards
It is a bit strange how in the last Argentina game, all refs were French and now in the France game, all refs are Argentinian. It could be a coincidence of course, but it is a bit weird.
tu me grattes le dos
yo rasco la tuya
Good luck to Issa, think their task has been made more difficult by the furior over Argentina with people suggesting the officials will be against France. They will now be more likely to err on the side of the French to prove that unfounded.
Quote from: Thailand Mick on July 09, 2026, 03:18:59 PMGood luck to Issa, think their task has been made more difficult by the furior over Argentina with people suggesting the officials will be against France. They will now be more likely to err on the side of the French to prove that unfounded.
Why do people suggest the officials will be against France? And who says that, I've not seen it? Considering the fact that French referees helped Argentina vs Egypt, I think it's way more likely that the Argentinian referees will help France.
If the refs national team are still in - they shouldn't be allowed to officiate
Here are some stats.
🚨 Cards per fouls for countries in World Cup QuarterFinals:
🏴 England: Card per every 7 fouls
🇲🇦 Morocco: Card per every 9.8 fouls
🇧🇪 Belgium: Card per every 10 fouls
🇨🇭 Switzerland: Card per every 11.5 fouls
🇫🇷 France: Card per every 12.2 fouls
🇳🇴 Norway: Card per every 13.6 fouls
🇪🇸 Spain: Card per every 17.5 fouls
🇦🇷 Argentina: Card per every 22 fouls
Either way, this will be a great experience for Issa. Let's see how he does against Mbappe in the quarter final of the world cup. I bet no one thought we would be saying that last season.
Definitely puzzling as to why Issa didn't get more game time last season.
Terrible penalty from MBappe
Quote from: Steeeeeeeeeed on July 09, 2026, 09:32:01 PMTerrible penalty from MBappe
Bounou is superb at saving penalties too. Best at it in the world
My wife could have saved that holding her handbag in one hand and a rolling pin in the other.
Shocking penalty, almost criminal.
Quote from: The Cravenette on July 09, 2026, 08:33:37 PMEither way, this will be a great experience for Issa. Let's see how he does against Mbappe in the quarter final of the world cup. I bet no one thought we would be saying that last season.
Apparently Diop and Mbappe played together in the France Under 19s that won the European Championships.
Nothing new in these 'conspiracies'.
I remember back in 66 the South Amricans were outraged that the England-Argentina quarter final was to be refereed by a West German, wheras the West Germany-Uruguay match was to be reffed by an Englishman.
All over-hyped of course...although it is true that the West German ref did send off the Argentine captain and best player (Antonio Rattin)...and the English ref (Jim Finney) did send off two Uruguayans! So, with Brazil having been kicked out (literally) of the competition it cleared the way for a nice Northern European final.
I love watching Azzedine Ounahi play
Quote from: SerbianLad on July 09, 2026, 10:14:43 PMI love watching Azzedine Ounahi play
Very good player. Would love to see us make a move for him with Gironas relegation.
Quote from: @jolslover on July 09, 2026, 10:40:17 PMQuote from: SerbianLad on July 09, 2026, 10:14:43 PMI love watching Azzedine Ounahi play
Very good player. Would love to see us make a move for him with Gironas relegation.
He'll probably have stronger teams after him. But obviously if we had 1% chance I hope we try it. Excellent footballer.
Morocco were quite poor, I was expecting more.
France through easily, but they still havent got close to the peaks of their performance against Sweden since, France don't look that 'magical' at all, they do look beatable.
Maybe Sweden were just absolute rubbish.
I thought it was quite worrying how easily France won without having to play anywhere near their top level.
Morocco were disappointing in the extreme.
Morocco were absolute rubbish. Made it easy for France
Morocco seemed afraid of them which is weird. Obviously France are better than the likes of Brazil and Netherlands, but those two teams are pretty strong too and Morocco didn't seem fazed by them at all.
I didn't like that they started without a striker. Too defensive.
Bounou and Ounahi only players to show up. Diop was okay too. Maybe he could have done a bit better for the Mbappe goal, but I thought that goal was world class and it didn't matter who was defending him.
I couldn't work out what Morocco were trying to do.... maybe it was a step to much for them....2 free kicks in the first half and not even a cross.... didn't think France were anything special
Also, I have to say, as much as I don't like Mbappe, I can't deny he's a superb player. The best player at the tournament so far. His goal today was incredible too.
Morocco were very poor..
Nothing up front...
Strange team...
France look beatable
Come on England
I feel Morocco gave France too
much respect and seem to forget the football that deservedly got them this far in the first place.
Relying on caution which curbed their natural instincts and for that they were taught a lesson.
First half Morocco were very cautious, and probably rightly so, as they got in at 0-0 somehow. However, when they started to attack a bit more in the second half they didn't have the required cutting edge, taking too long when in promising positions, and France were able to pick them apart with the gaps left. Overall France did all they had to and it was fairly comfortable for them. I don't think Maignan was particularly troubled all game.
I had expected Morocco to play with a bit more confidence but they seemed intimidated by France. France have hardly looked troubled all tournament, but if they face Spain in the semis they will certainly have a game on their hands.
Those who say France looked beatable, I struggle with that, as their defence looked pretty comfortable all day, and I'm yet to see anyone pepper their goal.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on July 10, 2026, 07:23:46 AMI feel Morocco gave France too
much respect and seem to forget the football that deservedly got them this far in the first place.
Relying on caution which curbed their natural instincts and for that they were taught a lesson.
100%
Bear in mind Morocco were missing their striker, blunted their attack. This France forward line are sensational and it may be the only way to beat them is to go all out sh**house like Paraguay.
Morocco lost their main striker and they came unstuck.
France have so many top players they could lose a couple and you would barely notice the difference...I accept mbape is a class apart and you would notice that... Nonetheless they have a wealth of talented strikers
In the end that has to be a key difference.
All teams are bearable but France look like the best side I have seen since Brazil 1970 for the sheer pleasure of watching expansive talented football.
Disappointed in the outcome of this game. France was not necessarily at the top of their game, yet really dominated the play. Mbappe is a terrific player, probably the best in this tournament so far. Morocco just didn't show up for this one. Was hoping for the upset, but you have to hand it to France, they're very good.