PHILADELPHIA — What is tougher: trying to find a goal in 100-degree heat, or breaking down Paraguay? France were forced to answer both questions at once and ultimately did enough to advance with a 1-0 win. The result sends them to Boston for a World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco, a matchup that promises to be another demanding test. France beat Morocco 2-0 in the 2022 semifinals, but this meeting could prove even tighter.
Against Morocco, France should be prepared for a similarly intense challenge to the one Paraguay delivered on Saturday. The weather may be more forgiving in Boston, but the Atlas Lions bring a higher level of quality and are unlikely to defend with 10 players packed behind the ball in quite the same manner. They will, however, be physical, organized and more comfortable in possession. France got through the round of 16, but they struggled for long stretches, grew frustrated and benefited from a decisive penalty. Repeating those mistakes against Morocco could be costly.
“I had never played a match like this, with so many hits, I mean, cheap shots, shoves in the back. So yes, it was complicated, but we won,” French midfielder Kouadio Kone said following the game.
France expected a rugged contest and understood Paraguay would try to use every available edge, including the so-called dark arts. What made Saturday’s match different was the referee’s willingness to let both sides play through contact, something France have not encountered as frequently during this World Cup. Officials have shown a clear preference for limiting stoppages, and while that approach has occasionally pushed games too far toward physicality, teams have adjusted by testing the limits. France believe they will be better prepared if the same pattern emerges again.
“I think the referee could have given a few yellow cards; maybe that would have calmed them down a bit. And well, we knew they were going to try to throw us off our game, because the coach had prepared us two or three days beforehand,” Saliba said after the match. “Sometimes it’s clear we can get frustrated too, we’re not going to let them get away with it. But we stayed focused, and like I said, we finished with 11 men, even though we got a few yellow cards. But there you go, sometimes it’s battles, the match demanded that, and there you go, we fought a battle, we won the battle, 1-0, and we are qualified.”
Saliba’s assessment was fair: France won the fight as much as the match. But the tournament is now entering the stage where recovery time becomes increasingly precious. Avoiding extra time was important, though the extreme heat still took a toll, with several players dealing with cramps and fatigue in conditions they had not previously faced in the competition.
After enjoying nearly a full week between games during the group phase, France now have just five days to recover before the quarterfinal. That tighter turnaround also helps explain why Aurelien Tchouameni, still coming back from a knock, was unavailable. Saliba acknowledged the heat played a role, but said France’s ability to remain composed was central to securing their place in the last eight.
“It was extremely hot today, so it was easy to tire out quickly. And, you know, when you don’t score early on, the match can feel like a long, drawn-out affair,” Saliba said. “But we stayed focused despite the heat.”
Paraguay had a few chances, but Julio Enciso ran out of steam and was subbed in the 61st minute, and Miguel Almiron also had to be substituted out of the game after seemingly picking up a hamstring injury. In Achraf Hakimi, Morocco will have a machine who can go 90, take his own chances and also create for others. As they showed against the Netherlands, Morocco can get physical when they need to, and they also were able to go against the run of play, facing Canada before taking control of that match.
“They’re a very strong team. They’ve beaten major nations throughout the tournament, and most importantly, they haven’t lost a single game,” Saliba said. “So we know it won’t be easy. They’re a very good side; they defend well and have plenty of individual talent. First, we need to get some rest; we’re pretty wiped out right now, and then prepare well for the match.”
Morocco may be without their striker, Ismael Saibari, for that match as he reportedly suffered a hamstring injury, but this isn’t a team that is dependent on one person. Sufiane Rahimi came right in and scored off the bench for the Atlas Lions as they put three goals past Canada, becoming the first team to knock out a host nation in this tournament. Improving their place in every World Cup since ending their drought in 2018, this is a Morocco team that won’t have fear when facing danger and will go right at them.
Didier Deschamps’ side wobbled in their first true test of the tournament, but they can’t afford more of that. If thy do, their journey could come to an end when a team is able to do more than just punish them physically, but put the ball in the net and threaten their chances of winning it all.
