Can Morocco stop Kylian Mbappe?That could be decisive as they face France for the second consecutive World Cup, this time at the quarter-final stage. Four years ago France won their semi-final 2-0 in Qatar to set up a final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.Didier Deschamps’ side have looked superb at this tournament and Mbappe has sparkled up front with seven goals in five matches. That puts him level in the Golden Boot standings with Norway’s Erling Haaland and one behind Messi.After France dispatched Paraguay in the last 16, Mbappe was subjected to abuse from a Paraguayan senator, who he described as “despicable” and “racist” after she called the France captain a “colonised Cameroonian”.His focus will return to the pitch at Gillette Stadium, with a place in the last four of the World Cup on the line.We take a closer look at Thursday’s game and where it might be decided…What’s the key info I need to know? World rankings: France (FIFA ranking 1) vs Morocco (6)
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro
Date: Thursday, July 9
Kick-off: 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 9pm BSTHow did France reach the quarterfinals?France are one of two sides to have won every game (Argentina are the other), scoring 14 goals along the way. They are also yet to fall behind. After struggling to build momentum in their first match against Senegal, they erupted into life in the final 30 minutes, winning 3-1. That was backed up by beating Iraq (3-0) and Norway (4-1) to top Group I.Kylian Mbappe scored his fifth and sixth goals of the tournament in their round of 32 win against Sweden (3-0), before adding his seventh from the penalty spot against Paraguay, as they won a fiery round of 16 contest 1-0. How did Morocco reach the quarterfinals?The Africa Cup of Nations champions opened with a 1-1 draw against Brazil, with Ismael Saibari’s lobbed finish taking the headlines. Morocco won their next two Group C games to qualify in second place, with a 1-0 win against Scotland and a 4-2 victory over Haiti. Next up was a round of 32 tie against the Netherlands. Defender Issa Diop scored a 91st-minute equaliser to send the game to extra time after a 1-1 draw, and the match was decided by a penalty shootout, with Morocco winning 3-2. They then dumped co-hosts Canada out in the round of 16 with a 3-0 win in Houston, all of their goals coming in the second half.How to watch on TVUnited States: 1pm PT / 4pm ET: Fox Sports (English), Telemundo / Peacock (Spanish)
