Between certainties (few) and surprises (definitely many). The Qatar World Cup is now close to the finish line of December 18, but first we have to play the semifinals between Argentina and Croatia (Tuesday 13) e France-Morocco (Wednesday 14th). See Messi and Mbappe still running is no surprise, however the same cannot be said of Modric and Ziyech, sensationally ahead with the excellent scalps of Brazil, Spain and Portugal. In short, it will be trivial but at this point anything can really happen, even if it is clear that the values hang on the side of Argentina and France: should both pass we would have a final of absolute nobility, otherwise space for the new advances, with all that it entails.
Qatar World Cup: Argentina – Croatia (Tuesday 13)
Everyone expected that the first semi-final would have been the superclasico between Argentina and Brazil, instead to challenge Messi will be Modric's Croatia. A real twist, if only because Dalic's boys seemed to have already given their best four years ago in Russia, where they only stopped in the final in the presence of France. However, the predictions had only taken into account the technical values, which see a team that is actually weaker than in 2018 (just think that then the center forward was Mandzukic, while today it is Petkovic and Livaja...), but not the heart and pride, decidedly important in a short competition like the World Cup. And so, dragged along by a gigantic Modric, by the trio of Inter fans present (Brozovic) and past (Perisic and Kovacic), by Livakovic's saves and by the sensational defensive duo Lovren-Gvardiol, the Croatians got through a group with Morocco and Belgium to then rely on penalties with both Japan and Brazil.
The result is that on Tuesday they will be the ones to challenge theMessi's Argentina, arrived instead where everyone expected it. The journey has not been easy, indeed we can say that theshock debut with Saudi Arabia he decidedly complicated it, but then the number 10 took the chair and the Selección began to run by beating Mexico, Poland, Australia and Holland, albeit only on penalties. Scaloni, now that the specter of Brazil has vanished, can look to the final with greater optimism, but the challenge with Croatia it is not obvious, indeed in the last precedent of 2018 it ended 3-0 for Modric and his companions, with Messi in tears under the astonished gaze of Maradona. This time the story could be different, but at this point it is better to leave the predictions alone and just watch the games.
Qatar World Cup: France – Morocco (Wednesday 14)
The other challenge, on the other hand, will be an absolute novelty, at least at these levels. To attempt to oppose the highly quoted France of Mbappé and Giroud, in fact, it will be the Morocco of Regragui, surprise par excellence of this World Cup. In fact, no one would have expected to see him reach the end of the tournament, above all by eliminating Spain and Portugal: the Moroccan dream therefore continues, but now the toughest obstacle arrives, namely France capable of overcoming even England, at the end of a one of the most beautiful and exciting races seen so far. It is almost superfluous to reiterate that Deschamps' men are the favorites, just as the heart of Morocco, driven by an entire population (not only at home, given the jubilant scenes both in Qatar and in many Italian cities), can try to make up for the 'huge technical difference.
Better to think about the pitch and try to imagine the match, between two absolutely polar opposite teams: on the one hand French champagne football, based above all on the offensive phase (Mbappé and Giroud scored 9 goals in two), on the other solid and defensive Moroccan, based on an iron defense (only one goal conceded in the entire World Cup) and some lethal restarts. In short, with the feet there is no story, at the level of the head instead the differences are reduced, because if it is true that France has an expert and winning group (it is no coincidence that they are reigning world champions), it is also that the Morocco he doesn't seem to suffer any kind of awe, indeed the inevitable tension, if possible, charges him even more. Will be David against Goliath, but the ending is not obvious for this: the biblical precedent, moreover, clearly demonstrates it…
