The most unbalanced of the quarter-finals, really ? With or without Ronaldo, Portugal is a logical favorite on Saturday 10 december from 16 hours, facing Morocco. But the Atlas Lions are driven by the dream of becoming the first Africans to reach the last four of a World Cup. The winner of this clash will in any case face the other victorious team of the evening, between France and England, whose match is scheduled from 20 hours. Follow our live.
The suspense of the first quarters stretched until the penalty shootout on Friday. Messi’s Argentina overcame the Netherlands. And Croatia, finalists in 2018, created a surprise by eliminating Neymar’s Brazil. What to inspire Morocco against Portugal ?
No African team has ever reached the last four of a World Cup. Portugal have already played two semi-finals, all lost : against England in 1966 and against France in 2006.
“There will be respect, but it will be war”, warned former England international John Terry about the meeting between France and England. He predicted “a long match, maybe a game of chess”in any case “a real test” between neighbours, with a rich common history but for the first time opposed in a knockout match.