Expect a tight France-Morocco quarterfinal
Vaughn Dalzell and Jay Croucher preview the France-Morocco World Cup quarterfinal, explaining why it could mirror their 2022 meeting and why France may have the edge.
Video Transcript
We are down to eight.
The World Cup quarterfinals kicks off Thursday.
The FIFA favorite France taking on the underdog Morocco, which you know all too well, Jay, since you will be there in Boston.
France is a big favorite, minus 180 in regulation.
Most of the betting handle will be on France, along with a Kylian Mbapp goal.
what do you think happens and what will you be betting since you'll be boots on the ground?
Yeah, we'll be there, Vaughan, in my Marcus Smart Celtics jersey, in Boston- Oh my God at Gillette Stadium to see what it's all about, for France v. Morocco.
this is a rematch of the semifinal, the 2022 tournament where France won, 2-0, and I think this is gonna be a similar, experience as a game to that where France scored an early goal, and then it was kind of a cagey 1-0 for most of the game.
And then they scored, with about 10 minutes to go to seal it.
I think both of these teams are, I think, have become a little overrated where France, now the overwhelming tournament favorite, at least relative to any individual runner in the field, I think they've been the best team overall.
But I think they're probably a little shakier, than most people think just because, one, they weren't able to score an open play goal against the Paraguay team that the US beat 4-1, in the group stage.
I thought that they gave Sweden, a handful of really good chances.
They were really poor in the first half with Senegal.
I don't really trust this France midfield, and the defense can be shaky.
Now, the, the frontline is maybe the best we've ever seen in an international tournament, and that is why they are the rightful favorite.
But I do think Morocco will have a chance here to hit them on the counter, to keep this game close.
Defensive Morocco will be very comfortable, defending in structure.
this is a team that has, had great success at the last tournament.
It's had a lot of success at this tournament.
I think that Morocco's flaws are probably not gonna get exposed as much by France.
Morocco, I think their big issue has just been not being quite brave enough, on the ball when they do have ascendancy.
They really should've put the Netherlands away, earlier than they did.
But that's not gonna be as much of a problem against France 'cause they're gonna be playing on the counter anyway.
So ultimately, I think France will progress, but I think this is gonna be a low-scoring game, and I would lean under.
