Hamann: Morocco brought human side to World Cup
Dietmar Hamann says Morocco "brought the human side" back to the World Cup after their remarkable journey in the tournament was ended by France on Wednesday night.
Qatar Sport News
Formidable France in familiar territory in World Cup final
DOHA: The inspirational leadership of Didier Deschamps and a deep pool of talent have turned France into the most formidable force in international football as they prepare to face Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final. France arrived in Qatar aiming to defy the fate of many recent holders, even as a flood of injuries threatened to derail their title defense. The reigning champions had been knocked out in the group stage in four of the past five tournaments, including France themselves in 2002. But Deschamps’ side have, in his own words, “reversed the trend” and after beating Morocco 2-0 in the last four on Wednesday, they have the chance to make history in the final at Lusail Stadium. No team have retained the trophy since Brazil in 1962, while no reigning champions had even made the final since the Brazilians in 1998. That team lost in Paris to a France side captained by Deschamps, who has been there for almost all of his country’s finest moments at major tournaments over a generation. After leading them to glory four years ago, he can become the first coach to win two World Cups since Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo in the 1930s. “Deschamps has been to three finals now, and he wins them,” French President Emmanuel Macron said after making a flying visit to Qatar for the semifinal. “Things always come in threes. Didier Deschamps brings luck as well as talent, so we are going to win it and bring the trophy home.”
Mental strength, moments of brilliance - how France reached the World Cup final
DOHA : France started the World Cup with more questions than answers after being ravaged by injuries, but they quickly ended the curse of the defending champions to reach the final thanks to their ruthlessness, mental strength and moments of sheer brilliance.
Morocco change the mood for African football with exploits in Qatar
DOHA : Morocco’s exciting run to a first-ever World Cup semi-final will inject a new energy in African football and hold out hope for the continent’s teams when they return in larger numbers in four years’ time.
World Cup 2022: Argentina's path to the final
Argentina stumbled at the first World Cup hurdle before getting their act together to storm into another final, led by their inspirational skipper Lionel Messi who has moved to the top of the tournament's scoring charts.
World Cup dreams shattered, Croatia and Morocco dust themselves off for bronze
DOHA : As Croatia and Morocco pick up the pieces after their World Cup semi-finals defeats, the two teams will welcome the prospect of potentially leaving Qatar on a high when they square up in the third-place playoff on Saturday.
Messi 'a totally different challenge' for France - Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann says playing Lionel Messi is "a totally different proposition" to anything else they have faced in Qatar as France gear up for a World Cup title defence against Argentina.
'They danced with families, inspired so many': Morocco bow out as world sings their praises
France beat Morocco 2-0 on Wednesday to set up a World Cup final showdown against Argentina and Lionel Messi.