France 'ready for anything' as hostile atmosphere awaits against Morocco at World Cup

Reigning champions face African side who are making history in Qatar - and will have backing of large support in Wednesday's semi-final

France striker Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring their second goal in the 2-1 World Cup quarter-final win against England at Al Bayt Stadium on December 10, 2022. Getty

Olivier Giroud after scoring. Getty

England's Harry Kane after missing a penalty to level at 2-2. PA

Harry Kane of England reacts after missing a penalty. Getty

Kylian Mbappe celebrates after Harry Kane misses a penalty. Getty

Harry Kane celebrates with his teammates after levelling at 1-1 from the penalty spot. Getty

Harry Kane scores his first penalty. Getty

Harry Kane celebrates after scoring. AP

Aurelien Tchouameni and his France teammates celebrate after taking the lead. Getty

Aurelien Tchouameni scores the opening goal. PA

Aurelien Tchouameni, left, celebrates after scoring. AP

Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni celebrates after putting France ahead against England. Getty

France celebrate taking the lead. PA

France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris celebrates the opening goal. Getty

Aurelien Tchouameni scores from distance. Getty

France striker Kylian Mbappe and England's Kyle Walker. Reuters

France are “ready for everything” Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against Morocco will throw at them, including an anticipated hostile atmosphere, according to captain Hugo Lloris.

The world champions sit two matches from becoming the first team in 60 years to successfully defend the trophy, but must first get past a spirited Moroccan side who have continued to make history in Qatar.

The North Africans are the first from their continent to reach a World Cup semi-final, and the only Arab country to do so. Also, they are unbeaten in the tournament in five matches, with impressive wins against Belgium, Spain – on penalties – and Portugal.

On Wednesday, at Al Bayt Stadium, Morocco are expected to have at least 20,000 fans there to support them – something Lloris says France will be well prepared for.

“They have beaten Belgium, Spain and Portugal and finished first in a very tough group – that tells you they are a quality side and will be tough opponents,” Lloris told reporters in Doha on Tuesday. “It will be a hostile atmosphere inside the stadium, but we are ready for anything.

“We have to show we are ready to raise the level and step up to the plate. We will need to be at the top of our game.”

Lloris, who in the 2-1 quarter-final victory against England became his country’s all-time leading appearance maker (143 caps), knows the pressure is on France to reach a second successive global final.

“In the preparation you need to remain calm and focused,” the goalkeeper said. “But there are no secrets. We are going to have to perform. That comes from working hard together, being mentally strong and scoring more goals than your opponents. That is what football comes down to.

Morocco's Jawad El Yamiq celebrates after the 1-0 World Cup quarter-final win against Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022. Getty

Yassine Bounou, Bilal El Khannouss, Reda Tagnaouti and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrate the team's victory. Getty

Walid Regragui, coach of Morocco, celebrates with the team. Getty

Yahya Attiat-Allah of Morocco celebrates. Getty

Morocco's Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates after scoring the only goal. Reuters

Morocco's Youssef En-Nesyri heads home in the first half. AP

Portugal's Otavio, Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Neves argue with referee Facundo Tello. Reuters

Morocco manager Walid Regragui. EPA

Portugal's Ruben Dias with Diogo Dalot. Getty

Moussef En-Nesyri scores for Morocco. Reuters

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo runs with the ball after coming on in the second half. AP

Portugal's Bruno Fernandes goes down in the box but no penalty was given. Getty

Portugal's Goncalo Ramos is helped up by Ruben Dias and Otavio. Reuters

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi goes head-to-head with Otavio of Portugal. EPA

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo talks with the referee Facundo Tello. AP

Morocco's Romain Saiss is carried off in the second half. Getty

Goncalo Ramos of Portugal reacts after missing a chance. Getty

Phtographers surround Portugal subsitute Cristiano Ronaldo before the match. AP

“It is going to be a raucous atmosphere, tough to concentrate, but we have to remain focused and be very precise in terms of our tactical discussions before and during the match.

“We are all very excited and looking forward to representing our country as well as we can. We need to ensure we are patient, but at the same time go for it and try to break them down as early as possible in the match, while staying balanced to avoid being hit on the counter-attack.”

On the threat posed by a defiant Morocco side, Lloris added: “It is a unique opportunity for both sides to get to the final. Obviously, it is already a success for Morocco, but believe me, they won't want to stop here. They want to become even more of a hero for their country.

“We prepare to respond to the demands of a semi-final of a World Cup – it doesn't matter the opponent. We try to put all our strength into this game to make sure we do not have any regrets.”

England 1 France 2: Player ratings

ENGLAND RATINGS: Jordan Pickford – 6. England’s No 1 did well despite conceding twice. He saw Tchouameni’s effort late for France’s first, and he could do nothing about Giroud’s bullet header. He kept England in the game to deny France at close-range with an acrobatic save. EPA

Kyle Walker – 7. Tasked with handling Mbappe, a big performance was needed, and he did better than most players this tournament. He marshalled him well and even managed to attack several times in the second half. AFP

John Stones – 6. The Manchester City defender was guilty of losing Giroud in the first half to allow a headed chance, but he did show off some good passing play, with England playing out from the back. Getty

Harry Maguire – 6. The Manchester United centre-back looked strong, making several good clearances, especially from a Mbappe cross which was heading straight to Giroud. He also nearly scored, but his header fizzed just wide. However, he was also partially at fault for France’s second as he allowed Giroud to get in front of him and head the ball home. AP

Luke Shaw – 6. The left-back was found often diving in a bit too early on challenges in the first half, but he stepped up his game in the second with a brilliant attacking run leading to a cross to Saka, which was met and fired just wide. AFP

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Quarter Final - England v France - Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar - December 11, 2022 England's Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham look dejected after the match as England are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS / Annegret Hilse

Declan Rice – 7. England’s midfield anchor went under the radar in the first half, but grew into the game and helped England’s transitions from defence to attack. Formed a great barrier in front of the defence too. Getty

Jordan Henderson – 7. Liverpool’s captain gave everything. Constantly chasing the ball down, he also helped to create many attacking plays for England. AFP

Jude Bellingham – 6. The midfielder was wasteful with his passing in the first half. His second half was much better, and he nearly scored a thunderbolt but Lloris tipped it over. EPA

Bukayo Saka – 8. Arsenal’s wideman was England’s standout performer. Constantly fouled, he had Theo Hernandez on toast, and was key to England’s attacking play. He was brought down in the box for the first penalty, and played well until he was taken off in the 78th minute. Getty

Phil Foden – 7. The City winger improved as the game went on and caused Kounde vast trouble out on the left flank. His quality of delivery was quality, and his standout attribute was his close interplay in tight areas. Reuters

Harry Kane – 6. England’s captain led the line with distinction, carrying the ball forward well and getting several powerful shots away. His first penalty was converted brilliantly, but suffered heartbreak with penalty number two. Getty

SUBS: Raheem Sterling (Saka 78’) – N/A. After returning to the squad, Sterling was brought on in the late phases and didn’t have a huge impact, with his key moment a good tackle on Mbappe to stop an attack. EPA

SUBS: Mason Mount (Henderson 78’) – N/A. Mount was fouled in the box soon after coming on and VAR helped to award a penalty. He also drew a number of fouls, but his decision making at times wasn’t always brilliant. AFP

Marcus Rashford (Foden 84) – N/A. Being one of England’s most in-form players this tournament, he was brought on in the latter stages and fired over with a late free-kick. AP

Jack Grealish (Stones, 90) – N/A. A strange substitute in the final minute, as there was very little he could add to the game. Getty

FRANCE RATINGS: Hugo Lloris – 8. The France captain stepped up and made a number of key stops to deny Kane in the first half and Bellingham in the second. He led from the back with a true captain’s performance. AFP

Jules Kounde – 6. The Barcelona defender had a tough evening, with Foden often getting the better of him along his flank. EPA

Raphael Varane – 6. The experienced defender contributed some slick passes but like his teammates looked nervous at times. AFP

Dayot Upamecano – 5. France’s weakest link in the team on the day, the defender was lucky to get away with numerous fouls throughout the game, with one on Kane leading to a VAR check. Constantly dived into challenges. AP

Theo Hernandez – 5. Struggled to keep up with Saka, the left-back seemed at odds with how to handle the Arsenal winger. He gave away a penalty after fouling Mount in the box and was lucky to not be sent off. A poor performer in an overall good team performance. PA

Albert Tchouameni – 7. The young midfielder put France ahead and ignited their progression with a thundering strike from outside the box. He did, however, give away the first penalty with a bad tackle on Saka. AFP

Adrien Rabiot – 6. The Juventus midfielder was lucky to get away with several fouls, with Saka the victim time and again. He did however set up some good chances, breaking forward with purpose, and having a shot of his own denied by Pickford. AFP

Ousmane Dembele – 6. The rapid winger contributed several one-touch passes down the line leading to attacking chances. His dribbling was of high quality too, but his second half performance was tarnished by missed chances and several fouls before being taken off. AFP

Antoine Griezmann – 8. Operating well in the No 10 role, the Atletico attacker had a good game, showcasing his close control footwork and making a number of good runs forward and sending the England players in several directions. He did give away a number of fouls, but was key in his teams winning performance. PA

Kylian Mbappe – 6. France’s dangerman spent the game tightly man-marked but still managed to escape on numerous occasions. He had a chance late in the first half but blazed over. AFP

Oliver Giroud – 8. The nation’s leading goalscorer didn’t disappoint, adding another to his tally to send his team through to the semi-finals, heading home a cross late on in the 88th minute. He had several shots throughout and even attempted a scorpion kick. Reuters

SUBS: Kingsley Coman (Dembele 79’) – N/A. The lone substitute came on in the 78th minute and his biggest contribution was a foul he gave away after he took down Maguire on the edge of his own box. EPA