Former France defender, Frank Lebouef, says that the Atlas Lions of Morocco couldn’t create chances to score in their semi-final game with France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
France beat Morocco 2-0 on Wednesday, December 14 at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor to reach a second consecutive FIFA World Cup final.
Theo Hernandez scored the first goal of the game in the fifth minute as he handed his team an early lead, and Randall Kolo Muani scored in the 79th minute to seal the victory for the Blues.
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Speaking on ESPN FC, Lebouef who won the France ’98 World Cup with France applauded the Moroccans for reaching the semi-finals but also mentioned the fact that the Atlas Lions couldn’t create clear chances to score.
“It’s the semi-final of the World Cup, Morocco didn’t come to the semi-final of the World Cup randomly,” Lebouef said.
“It’s because they have talent, they know how to defend, they how to lead the game, but I have to say it’s true, today [vs France] they couldn’t find their striker En-Nesyri. They couldn’t find clear chances to score goals, that is why maybe they lost the game.”
Morocco play Croatia in the Third-place
Playoff on Saturday, December 17 at the Khalifa International Stadium. The two sides earlier met in the Group F of this tournament and the match ended 0-0.
The Atlas Lions are the only African team that has reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
Their previous best showing was in Mexico ’86 where they reached the Round Of 16 before losing 1-0 to West Germany.
By Toju Sote
