World Cup: France-Morocco, a trap to avoid to write history

Special Envoy to Doha

To discover

• World Cup: The complete table of the final phase

• All World Cup match results

• Download the Le Figaro Sport app and follow the Blues in Qatar

Gathering millions of people in front of the television despite the announced boycott, succeeding in getting citizens of all persuasions out into the streets despite the freezing temperatures and warming up an entire country at a time of year when the main concern is knowing the content of the gifts under the tree… In this, the World Cup of the France team is already advancing as a clear success.

But, in his way of seeing things – namely winning at all costs, by all means, all the time – Didier Deschamps does not bother much about these considerations.

At 54, the Basque thinks of only one thing: eliminating Morocco, this Wednesday evening (8 p.m., TF1, beIN Sports), during the seventh semi-final (1958, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2018 ) contested by the France team in a World Cup and win a third planetary trophy.

Captain of the epic of 1998, then coach of the heroes of 2018, "DD" is not satisfied.

Never.

On the contrary, with a group made up of a clever mix of old grognards charmed by a final dance and young heirs thirsty for success, the boss of the Blues remains guided by this fierce appetite to mark the history of his sport.

And of his country.

Two games away from retaining the global title, a real feat achieved only twice, by Italy (1934-1938) and Brazil (1958-1962), the opportunity is too good to miss.

And settling for a place in the last four is not part of the vocabulary of this French team whose ambition has continued to grow since its arrival in Qatar on November 16.

This is also what we are talking about.

In addition to the results or the way of playing, Didier Deschamps, who experienced the lean period of the selection in the 1990s,

Read alsoHow Didier Deschamps changed his management to continue to win the Blues

That of a team feared by the whole world and which, even being heckled, like Saturday in the quarter-finals by England (1-2), always ends up winning.

In a way, France is on the way to becoming the Germany of football, a selection that destroys everything in its path and leaves little room for feeling(s).

With the win as a standard.

A new reputation that we will have to assume this Wednesday in the Qatari desert against the astonishing Moroccans, heroes of an entire nation and of an African continent represented for the first time at this stage of the competition, after having extracted themselves from a strong group (Croatia and Belgium), then having hung on their board the candidates for the Spanish supreme title, in the round of 16, and Portuguese, in the quarters.

“A celebration for all Franco-Moroccans”

Like a symbol of the historic link between France and Morocco, the Atlas Lions are guided by the colorful Walid Regragui (47), appointed coach last September to replace Vahid Halilhodzic and a native of Corbeil-Essonnes.

Another tasty nod to the hundreds of thousands of dual nationals living in France.

, he testified Tuesday in Doha with a unifying speech.

.

Mbappé's partners have been warned.

Faced with a Morocco supported by more than 20,000 supporters and the entire Arab world at the al-Bayt stadium, the match in the stands is already closed in advance.

A detail, and certainly not an excuse, in the minds of the defending champions, accustomed to hostile atmospheres in their respective clubs.

Wednesday evening, it will be a question of getting a little closer to the ultimate dream.

Qualify for the World Cup final.

A whole country is waiting for that.