Mbappe vs Hakimi, revenge on the line: Predicting France-Morocco World Cup blockbuster

The business end of the FIFA World Cup kicks off with a blockbuster encounter as outright title favourites France lock horns with tournament wildcards Morocco in the first quarterfinal at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough.

This high-stakes fixture is a tantalising repeat of the 2022 semifinal in Doha, where France put an end to Morocco’s historic fairytale run. Four years later, Les Bleus enter the contest as the world’s top-ranked side and the heavy favourites. However, the No. 6-ranked Atlas Lions have consistently shown they possess the tactical framework, spatial discipline, and individual brilliance to spring an upscale surprise on the grandest stage.

The primary battleground will be dictated by how Morocco’s defensive block handles France’s terrifying, free-flowing attacking trident. Powered by Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and the irrepressible Kylian Mbappe, Didier Deschamps’ frontline has been in utterly ruthless form, hammering home 14 goals over five matches in North America.