World Cup

[monks data]

World Cup | Semi-Finals

Dec 14, 2022 at 7pm UK

Al Bayt Stadium

France
2 - 0
Morocco

Hernandez (5'), Kolo (79')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Boufal (27')

World Cup 2022: Why to expect France's Kylian Mbappe to score against Morocco

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter

Published: December 13 2022 | 16:27

Last updated: December 14 2022 | 00:01

World Cup 2022: Why to expect Mbappe to score against Morocco

Ahead of Wednesday's 2022 World Cup semi-final between France and Morocco, Sports Mole looks at why Kylian Mbappe is expected to score at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Reigning World Cup champions France will aim to reach their second successive final when they face off against Morocco in Wednesday's semi-final clash at the Al Bayt Stadium.

While the Atlas Lions secured a surprise 1-0 quarter-final win over Portugal, Les Bleus edged past England with a 2-1 scoreline to progress to the last four.

Didier Deschamps's side are now just two victories away from becoming the first nation since Brazil 60 years ago to retain the World Cup and they will be regarded as firm favourites to prevail against a Morocco side competing in their first-ever semi-final.

Star attacker Kylian Mbappe was unable to get his name on the scoresheet against the Three Lions, but he has been in scintillating form this year and is currently the top scorer in Qatar with five goals in as many matches.

France have won all 10 World Cup games in which Mbappe has started and the 23-year-old – who already has 250 career goals to his name – will certainly back himself to find the net on Wednesday.

In those 10 World Cup starts, the Paris Saint-Germain attacker has scored nine times and registered three assists, with seven of his goal contributions coming at this year's tournament in Qatar.

France's Kylian Mbappe applauds fans after the match on November 22, 2022 © Reuters

Mbappe began his 2022 World Cup campaign with two second-half goal contributions in France's 4-1 group-stage win over Australia, heading in his first goal of the tournament three minutes before setting up Olivier Giroud for Les Bleus' fourth of the night.

France's No.7 then picked up a second successive man-of-the-match award after scoring a brace in the 2-1 victory over Denmark, netting both of his goals from close range in the second half.

Mbappe drew a blank during a 27-minute substitute cameo in the 1-0 defeat to Tunisia, but he returned to the starting lineup against Poland in the last 16 and inspired Les Bleus to a comfortable 3-1 victory.

The attacker once again set up Giroud, who broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time, before firing two exquisite strikes beyond Wojciech Szczesny to send Les Bleus into the semi-finals.

Mbappe has now scored 33 goals in 64 international appearances for France which puts him seventh on the nation's all-time list, with 15 of those goals coming in his last 15 games across all competitions.

Mbappe has also excelled at club level with PSG and has scored 19 goals in 20 matches so far this season, with 12 goals scored in 14 Ligue 1 appearances as well as seven strikes in just six Champions League games.

Considering his electric form in front of goal, it is difficult to back against another standout display from Mbappe on Wednesday, with the Parisian-born attacker looking to move further ahead of his nearest challengers in the race for the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot.