Doha. France head into the semi-finals against Morocco as favorites to repeat their spot of the 2018 final. France had also won the title then. The French also reached the final of the 2016 European Championship, where they finished as runners-up. So Didier Deschamps’ men have the semi-final experience they need going into Wednesday’s match at Al Bayt with confidence.
Not only does France have a great record in the semi-finals, but four players have set records to challenge their rivals in this World Cup.
First among them is striker Olivier Giroud: the AC Milan forward, a big candidate for this year’s Golden Boot, scored twice against Australia to equal Thierry Henry’s record of 51 goals for France. He then broke the record with the opening goal against Poland and took it to 53 with the winning goal against England last Saturday.
Kylian Mbappe has also broken a record in this World Cup, taking his tally to nine goals in World Cups with two spectacular goals against Poland. It is the first 24-year-old footballer to reach that total, surpassing the great Pele’s seven goals by that age.
The shocking thing is that Mbappe has scored more goals in the World Cup at the age of 24 than Cristiano Ronaldo in his entire career.
Emphasizing the threat of the French attack at this World Cup, Antoine Griezmann’s two assists against England took his total for the French national team to 28, breaking Henry’s record of 27. Although the fact is that Embappé already has 18 assists. According to the report of Xinhua, one day this record will be in his name.
And finally, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was one of France’s heroes against England, making several fine saves and also winning a mental battle against Harry Kane in England’s second penalty.
Lloris did so in his 143rd appearance for his country, surpassing Lilian Thuram’s record of 143 caps for France.
–IANS
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