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Nineteen months later, Morocco get another shot at France

The last time these two met, it was the semifinal of the 2022 World Cup, and it ended Morocco's fairytale. France won 2-0 — Theo Hernández scored inside five minutes, Randal Kolo Muani late — and went on to the final. Morocco had become the first African and Arab nation ever to reach a World Cup semifinal, and France were the wall they couldn't get past. Theo Hernández, who scored that opening goal, is in this France squad.

France are the favorites, and it's easy to see why: a front line most countries would build a decade around, led by Kylian Mbappé, who became France's all-time leading scorer during the group stage. They beat Senegal 3-1 to start and have looked like a team assembling a highlight reel in real time.

Morocco aren't underdogs anymore. They're ranked seventh in the world, they arrived expecting to go deep, and they've backed it up — holding Brazil to a draw in the group stage and beating co-hosts Canada 3-0 on the way here. There's a personal edge, too: two of their best players will line up against club teammates. Captain Achraf Hakimi plays for Paris Saint-Germain, and playmaker Brahim Díaz plays for Real Madrid — the same dressing rooms as much of this France team.

Golden Boot

Kylian Mbappé passed France's all-time scoring record during the group stage — the headline name in a France attack most defenses can't contain.

Form

• France opened with a 3-1 win over Senegal — Mbappé's brace made him France's all-time top scorer — and have been the bookmakers' favorites throughout.
• Morocco drew with Brazil in the group stage and beat co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the knockouts, and have been hard to break down all tournament.

Club mix

• Ousmane Dembélé, France's attacking talisman, is the reigning Ballon d'Or winner.
• Morocco's captain Achraf Hakimi is a Paris Saint-Germain teammate of several of these France players; playmaker Brahim Díaz plays for Real Madrid, alongside Mbappé, Tchouaméni and Camavinga.