History-makers Morocco Stand in Way of France at World Cup

Morocco players celebrate with their supporters after they beat Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
Morocco players celebrate with their supporters after they beat Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
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History-makers Morocco Stand in Way of France at World Cup

Morocco players celebrate with their supporters after they beat Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
Morocco players celebrate with their supporters after they beat Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

France face World Cup history-makers Morocco in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, with Lionel Messi's Argentina lying in wait after another dazzling performance from the diminutive magician.

The Copa America champions swept aside 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday to give the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner the chance to crown his career in style, AFP said.

Defending champions France know victory against surprise package Morocco would leave them just one win away from becoming the first team in 60 years to successfully defend the trophy.

Didier Deschamps' France are heavy favorites to win at the Al Bayt Stadium but face a team that have conceded just once in their extraordinary run to the semi-finals.

France captain Hugo Lloris is desperate to avoid the whiff of complacency for a team who have become used to competing at the sharp end of tournaments.

"When a team is capable of beating Belgium, Spain and Portugal, and finish top of their group, it is because they have lots of quality on the field and undoubtedly off it too, in terms of cohesion and team spirit," Lloris said.

"They will be formidable opponents, and on top of that there will be a hostile atmosphere in the stadium."

Deschamps' team are closing in on a third World Cup triumph in seven tournaments but will be aware that no team have retained the World Cup since Pele's Brazil side performed the feat in 1962.

The world champions are unlikely to have it all their own way against a tough Morocco team.

They topped a group containing Croatia and Belgium before beating Spain on penalties and then dumping Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal out of the tournament.

Morocco are the first African side and the first Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.

- Fan factor -
The game will have added spice given France was Morocco's colonial power and more than a million Moroccans live in the country.

Their not-so-secret weapon on Wednesday will be the incredible support from fans in the stadium and across the Arab world.

"There is a popular fervor behind them," said Deschamps. "It will be very noisy and my players have been warned about that. They know what to expect."

Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who was born near Paris and spent most of his playing career in the French league, believes his team have become the neutral's favorite.

But he is adamant his side are not just there to make up the numbers.

"If we are happy just to reach the semi-finals and some see that as enough, I don't agree," said Regragui.

"If you get to the semi-finals and you are not hungry then there is a problem."

"The best team in the tournament, Brazil, is already out. We are an ambitious team and we are hungry but I don't know if that will be enough," he added.

On Tuesday, Messi converted a penalty in the first half against Croatia to pull level with France hotshot Kylian Mbappe in the leading scorer's race on five goals.

Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez doubled Argentina's lead shortly before half-time after bursting through the middle, aided by two fortunate bounces.

Messi then produced a moment of magic in the 69th minute to set up Alvarez for his second, which killed the game and set up the 35-year-old for another shot at history after he suffered a bitter defeat to Germany in the 2014 final.

"Argentina are, once again, in the World Cup final. Enjoy it!" said the Argentine great.

"We've been through tough situations, other very good ones. Today we're experiencing something spectacular."



Amorim Says Nothing but Europa League Victory Will Do 

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim waves to fans after the UEFA Europa League semi-finals 2nd leg soccer match between Manchester United and Athletic Club, in Manchester, Britain, 08 May 2025. Manchester United won 4-1. (EPA)
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim waves to fans after the UEFA Europa League semi-finals 2nd leg soccer match between Manchester United and Athletic Club, in Manchester, Britain, 08 May 2025. Manchester United won 4-1. (EPA)
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Amorim Says Nothing but Europa League Victory Will Do 

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim waves to fans after the UEFA Europa League semi-finals 2nd leg soccer match between Manchester United and Athletic Club, in Manchester, Britain, 08 May 2025. Manchester United won 4-1. (EPA)
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim waves to fans after the UEFA Europa League semi-finals 2nd leg soccer match between Manchester United and Athletic Club, in Manchester, Britain, 08 May 2025. Manchester United won 4-1. (EPA)

Anything less than winning the Europa League title on May 21 will not be enough for Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, who said finishing second will amount to nothing and the club's long-suffering fans deserve better.

United substitute Mason Mount struck twice as United trounced Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in the second leg of their semi-final on Thursday for a 7-1 aggregate victory and a place in an all-English final against Tottenham Hotspur.

A victory in the final would mean not just a place in the Champions League next season -- and the sizable financial injection that comes with it -- but a much-needed belief after a dreadful Premier League season.

"The money is not the most important, even the title, to win a title as a coach," Amorim said. "It's that feeling that we can do good things, the feeling to give something to our fans, especially in this kind of season. So, it's not just playing Champions League next year. Is that feeling too that we can change things.

"I'm stressed already because of the final. If we don't do it, it means nothing."

While the final in the Spanish city of Bilbao will be Amorim's biggest task yet as United boss, he has won several Portuguese trophies.

Asked where a Europa League title would rank, the 40-year-old said: "Every coach will say that the next one is the most important. But it would be massive, especially after this season in Premier League.

"Both teams are going to play like all or nothing, the position of the coach(es) is quite similar, we are struggling both of us."

Mount became the first substitute to score a double in a European knockout match for United since David Beckham against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in April 2003.

When Mount caught the goalie well out of his net deep in injury time and launched a rocket from just inside Athletic's half to score his second, the television caught Amorim laughing with delight.

"Not just me," Amorim said. "If you look at the bench, that is the best feeling as a coach, when you look at the other guys on the bench and they are so happy for Mason Mount, because everybody in that dressing room sees Mason Mount doing everything he can to be available.

"His teammates were so happy for him."