From The Sports Desk: Rivals France and Morocco meet to kick off quarterfinals

There’s only one game today, but it’s a big one. France and Morocco renew their World Cup rivalry in the opening game of the quarterfinals, four years after they met in the semifinals. France has played five games this tournament — and won all five. It seems destined to reach its third consecutive World Cup final. Or can Morocco pull off the upset?

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World Cup Preview

After yesterday’s day off (boring, wasn’t it?), we’re back in action with Morocco carrying Africa’s hopes against tournament favorite France, a repeat of the 2022 semifinal.

This French team is in even better shape than the one that beat the Atlas Lions 2-0 four years ago, with London-born Bundesliga Player of the Season Michael Olise pulling the strings. He has registered five assists this World Cup, more than any player at the tournament.

Les Bleus are also the tournament’s joint top goal scorers, alongside champion Argentina. Kylian Mbappé has seven goals (one behind Lionel Messi ) and Ousmane Dembélé has four. He went goalless in Qatar.

The French aren’t just about attacking flair. In overcoming an ultraphysical Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16, the team also showed steel in sweltering conditions.

By contrast, Morocco made much lighter work of Canada in the previous round, winning 3-0 after an impressive second-half showing.

Morocco was under French protectorate from 1912 to 1956, and the two countries remain closely connected. Six of the Morocco squad members were born in France.

Morocco is on the longest unbeaten streak of any team at the World Cup, a run of 34 games. The current Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champion, Morocco is sixth in the FIFA rankings, ahead of Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands, which it beat on penalties in the round of 32 after a 1-1 draw.

Its defense includes the biggest star in Moroccan soccer, Achraf Hakimi , a right back with a license to roam. Further forward is creator-in-chief Brahim Díaz , the breakout star from the last AFCON.

Hakimi and Díaz have two goals and five assists between them. However, its top scorer at this tournament, Ismael Saibari , is out with a hamstring injury. Saibari scored in each of Morocco’s three group games and struck the decisive penalty in the shootout win over the Netherlands.

Morocco might be happy to take this one to penalties as well: Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has made nine saves in the tournament and recorded two clean sheets.

Completing the quarterfinal lineup this week: Spain plays Belgium tomorrow, and on Saturday, England takes on Norway and Switzerland faces Argentina.

Men in Blazers

The Golden Boot race has been perhaps the most exciting scoring spree to ever grace the World Cup, with Lionel Messi leading the pack with eight goals , and Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland just behind him with seven, while Harry Kane lurks in the shadows with six.

But goals aren’t the only thing carrying teams past the round of 16. France also features Michael Olise , who sits on five assists and is on the verge of surpassing Pelé ’s long-standing record of six in one tournament from 1970.

That’s not to mention the individual brilliance of countless others who have stepped up to the plate to lead their nation with creativity — from Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi and Morocco’s Brahim Díaz to Spain’s Unai Simón , who has yet to concede a single (!) goal. This World Cup has been fueled by individual brilliance, and it’s become difficult to let it all soak in due to the extraordinary performances, day after day. We truly are not worthy.

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What We’re Watching

There’s only one game today! Clear your schedule. It’s on Telemundo and Peacock , and the time listed is Eastern:

That’s it for now! We’ll be back tomorrow.