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☆ Francesco Camarda becomes youngest ever Serie A player aged 15
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Aged 15 years and 260 days old, Francesco Camarda pulled on the famous black and red striped jersey of AC Milan on Saturday, and made history as the youngest ever debutant in Serie A. The Rossoneri’s victory against Fiorentina stymied their recent drought of wins, and ensured they remained third in the league, five points behind leaders Inter Milan. I could be his grandfather,” Milan manager Stefano Pioli told Sky Sport Italia, according to ESPN. So far this season, Camarda had made nine appearances for AC Milan in the Campionato Primavera 1 TIM, Italy’s under-19 league, and scored one goal. After his history-making Serie A debut, Camarda’s teammates rushed to congratulate him, including France’s all time leading goalscorer Olivier Giroud who hailed his “rossonero little brother” on Instagram.

Persons: Francesco Camarda, Luka Jović, Wisdom Amey, “ Francesco, ” Milan, Stefano Pioli, Camarda, Camarda’s, Olivier Giroud, ” Organizations: CNN, Milan, Serie A, Luka, Fiorentina, Bologna, Sky Sport Italia, Inter Milan, ESPN, AC Milan, Primavera, Serie Locations: Instagram

☆ France held to 2-2 draw as Greece spoil flawless qualifying campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ATHENS, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Greece came from a goal down to hold France to a 2-2 draw in their final Euro 2024 qualifier in Group B on Tuesday, denying Didier Deschamps' side a perfect record in their qualifying campaign. Randal Kolo Muani scored just before halftime before Greece levelled in the 56th minute through Anastasios Bakasetas and Fotis Ioannidis gave the hosts the lead five minutes later. Deschamps made eight changes to his starting lineup with Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann the only players who started on Saturday when they demolished 10-man Gibraltar 14-0 in a record Euro qualifying win. Greece, Euro 2004 champions, levelled in the 56th minute through midfielder Anastasios Bakasetas, who struck with a volley from outside the box, and Fotis Ioannidis gave Greece the lead five minutes later. France substitute Kylian Mbappe, who ended the qualifying campaign with nine goals, had a last-gasp chance to seal the win but hit the bar deep into stoppage time.

Persons: Didier Deschamps, Randal Kolo Muani, Fotis Ioannidis, Youssouf Fofana, Les Bleus, Deschamps, Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot, Antoine Griezmann, Griezmann, Olivier Giroud teed, Kolo Muani, Anastasios Bakasetas, Fofana, Kingsley Coman, Kylian Mbappe, Anita Kobylinska, Toby Davis Organizations: France, Thomson Locations: ATHENS, Greece, France, Netherlands, Gibraltar, Gdansk

☆ France beats Gibraltar a record 14-0 in Euro 2024 qualifier
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

2-ranked team playing against a country ranked 198 in the world and the gulf between the two was evident on the pitch. Marcus Thuram, Jonathan Clauss, Youssouf Fofana, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembélé all scored for France, while Olivier Giroud and Kingsley Coman got two goals apiece. “Being down to 10, already with 11 it’s complicated for them, but it doesn’t take away the credit for us even if we could have been more efficient, it’s as much about respecting the opponent as scoring goals,” France manager Didier Deschamps said, per Reuters. “Fourteen is not bad.”France had 39 attempts on goal, 19 of which were on target, while Gibraltar failed to muster a chance. France, already qualified for Euro 2024 in Germany, is top of Group B while a winless Gibraltar is bottom on zero points without having yet scored a goal during qualification.

Persons: Les Bleus, Kylian Mbappé, Warren Zaïre, Emery, Philippe Lecoeur, Ethan Santos, Santos, Marcus Thuram, Jonathan Clauss, Youssouf Fofana, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembélé, Olivier Giroud, Kingsley Coman, Didier Deschamps, ” Organizations: CNN, France, European Championship, Reuters, Allianz, “, ” Locations: Gibraltar, San Marino, Nice, ” France, France, Germany

☆ French connection strikes as PSG beat AC Milan to go top
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Another Kylian Mbappe moment of magic and a Randal Kolo Muani goal helped Paris St Germain beat a toothless AC Milan 3-0 at the Parc des Princes to go top of their Champions League Group F on Wednesday. "We play as a team, we make the efforts for our team mates, that's how we do it." Kolo Muani said: "We wanted to control the match and go for the win. PSG got off to an aggressive start but were outnumbered in the midfield and struggled to free themselves from Milan's pressing play. PSG next travel on Nov. 7 to Milan, who will need what would be their first win in the group stage to maintain their hopes of reaching the knockout phase.

Persons: Randal Kolo Muani, Paris St Germain, Mbappe, Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele, Lee Kang, Warren Zaire, Emery, Luis Enrique's, Milan's Olivier Giroud, Manuel Ugarte, Dembele, Kolo, Mike Maignan, Christian Pulisic, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rafael Leao's, Maignan, Lee, Julien Pretot, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Paris St, Milan, Princes, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United, AC Milan, League, PSG, Borussia, Newcastle, Thomson Locations: Parc, France, Zaire, Milan

☆ Milan go top with late Pulisic strike at Genoa as Giroud ends match in goal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

GENOA, Italy, Oct 7 (Reuters) - A late strike by Christian Pulisic earned AC Milan a 1-0 win at promoted Genoa that put them top of Serie A on Saturday but the game ended in chaos as both keepers were sent off and striker Olivier Giroud went in goal for the visitors. U.S. international Pulisic netted in the 87th minute with a half-volley from near the penalty spot after he was brilliantly set up by Yunus Musah to give Milan the lead. But the three points were hanging by a thread as the game took a chaotic turn when Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan saw red for a foul on Caleb Ekuban late in stoppage time and Giroud took his spot in goal. "I like to think that what Giroud did is part of our mentality," coach Stefano Pioli told DAZN. "Pulisic wanted to go in goal and perhaps he had already done it, but I told him that he was too short.

Persons: Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud, Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Mike Maignan, Caleb Ekuban, Giroud, Frenchman, Genoa's Albert Gudmundsson, George Puscas, Stefano Pioli, DAZN, Milan, Pioli, Ruben Loftus, Cheek, Rade Krunic, Ismael Bennacer, Rafael Leao, Josep Martinez, Martinez, Theo Hernandez, Anita Kobylinska, Toby Davis Organizations: Milan, Serie, U.S, Inter Milan, Lazio, AS Roma, Napoli, Genoa, Juventus, Thomson Locations: GENOA, Italy, Genoa, Milan, Bologna, Gdansk

☆ Leao scores as AC Milan beat Verona 1-0
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 23 (Reuters) - AC Milan returned to winning ways when Rafael Leao scored in a 1-0 home win over Hellas Verona in Saturday's Serie A game that was delayed by 25 minutes due to a hailstorm. Leao gave Milan the lead in the eighth minute when Olivier Giroud pinched the ball from Verona near the halfway line and released the winger, who sprinted past two defenders scrambling to track back before slipping his shot past the goalkeeper. At the other end, Milan were rarely threatened by Verona who remain in ninth place, five points behind Stefano Pioli's side. Milan keeper Marco Sportiello pulled off a fine save from a Michael Folorunsho header in the 20th minute, but he was rarely troubled after that. Milan forward Christian Pulisic also got away from his marker in the 72nd minute but his curling shot was pushed away by Verona keeper Lorenzo Montipo.

Persons: Rafael Leao, Leao, Olivier Giroud, Stefano Pioli's, Pioli, DAZN, Marco Sportiello, Michael, Christian Pulisic, Lorenzo Montipo, Marco Baroni, Rohith Nair, Trevor Stynes, Christian Radnedge, Clare Fallon Organizations: Milan, Hellas Verona, Saturday's Serie, Inter, Champions League, Newcastle United, Empoli, Portugal, Verona, Thomson Locations: Saturday's, Milan, Verona

☆ Top of the table clash gives Milan derby extra edge
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Trevor Stynes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The match at the San Siro will be the first time since 1962 that the Milan sides meet while top of the table. But this Milan side are a different proposition from the team who put up such a disappointing defence of their league title last season. Preparations for the derby will mostly come down to the last few days with most of their starting players returning from international duty. Milan have a concern over Giroud after he went off injured in France's win over Ireland last week but are hopeful he can recover. Jose Mourinho's AS Roma, with just one point from three games, will try to kick-start their season when they host Empoli on Sunday.

Persons: Stefano Pioli, Massimo Pinca, San Siro, Stefano Pioli's, Tijjani Reijnders, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus, Cheek, Pulisic, Rafael Leao, Loftus, Reijnders, Milan, Sandro Tonali, Olivier Giroud's, Lautaro Martinez, Martinez, Simone Inzaghi, Romelu, Eden Dzeko, Marcus Thuram, Luka Jovic, Fikayo Timori, Simon Kjaer, Jose Mourinho's, Trevor Stynes, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer, Juventus, AC Milan, Allianz, Milan, Inter, Serie, Napoli, Lazio, San, Fiorentina, Champions League, Serie A's, France's, Ireland, Juve, Genoa, Lecce, Jose Mourinho's AS Roma, Empoli, Thomson Locations: Turin, Italy, Saturday's Milan, Milan, Newcastle, Monza

☆ Christian Pulisic: US captain scores sensational goal on AC Milan debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US Men’s National Team captain Christian Pulisic scored a sensational goal on his debut for Italian side AC Milan on Monday night. The 24-year-old’s thunderous 21st-minute strike was the second of the night in AC Milan’s 2-0 victory over Bologna as the team began its Serie A campaign strongly. Nice to get a goal, while a clean sheet and a win are always nice.”Giroud scored Milan’s opening goal, tapping home from close range after just 11 minutes. Following a disappointing Serie A title defense last season – though the Italians did reach the semifinals of the Champions League – AC Milan has recruited heavily this offseason in the hope of reclaiming the Scudetto. Pulisic scores Milan's second goal against Bologna.

Persons: Christian Pulisic, Pulisic, Olivier Giroud, ” Pulisic, DAZN, ” Giroud, Sandro Tonali, Midfielders Ruben Loftus, Cheek, Luka Romero, Tijjani Reijnders, Yunus Musah, Noah Okafor, Samuel Chukwueze, Alessandro Sabattini, ” Milan, Stefano Pioli, “, ” Pioli, ” Organizations: CNN, US Men’s National Team, Italian, AC Milan, Champions League –, Milan, English Premier League, Newcastle United, Midfielders, Chelsea, Bologna Locations: Chelsea, Bologna, Italy, Milan, London, “

☆ Kylian Mbappé scores French record 54th goal of the season
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Kylian Mbappé scored his 54th goal of the season for club and country in France’s 1-0 win over Greece in Euro 2024 qualifying, setting a new French goalscoring record. The previous record was 53 goals in a single season set by the late striker Just Fontaine during the 1957-58 campaign. Mbappé scored the winning goal from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half after Antoine Griezmann was fouled by Konstantinos Mavropanos, maintaining France’s perfect qualifying record with four wins from four matches. “The only regret I have is to not be able to play safe because we had chances to score the second goal,” France head coach Didier Deschamps told uefa.com. France, yet to concede a goal in qualifying, continues its campaign against the Republic of Ireland at the Parc des Princes in September.

Persons: Kylian Mbappé, Just Fontaine, Germain, Erling Haaland’s, Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Mavropanos, Randal Kolo Muani, ”, Didier Deschamps, “, Olivier Giroud’s, Les, Harry Kane, England’s, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Kalvin Phillips Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, Manchester City, don’t, France, Les Bleus, Parc des Princes, Three Lions, Arsenal, Bukayo Locations: Greece, Paris, Norway, Cyprus, ” France, Germany, France, Republic of Ireland, Parc des, England, North Macedonia, Ukraine

☆ Folarin Balogun: What to expect from the 21-year-old who outscored Lionel Messi last season ahead of his USMNT debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Folarin Balogun recently committed to representing the United States men’s national team (USMNT), ending years of speculation about whether the 21-year-old would choose to play for the US or England on the international stage. Here’s all you need to know about the prodigious striker ahead of his potential USMNT debut against Mexico. Stu Forster/Getty ImagesOn the pitch, Balogun has refined his game over the past two seasons. After the Arsenal man’s haul last season, Barker also believes this could be just the beginning for the striker. “I’m not sure he will be an elite, world class player,” Barker said, “but you certainly wouldn’t bet against him.”

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Folarin Balogun, Gregg Berhalter’s, Jesus Ferreira, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, “, James Williamson, Flo, unforthcoming, Balogun, Art de, Charles McQuillan, ” de Roché, it’s, Roché, de Roché, he’s, Stu Forster, “ He’s, ”, Alex Barker, ” Barker, Oliver Giroud, Roberto Firmino, Messi, Germain, Francois Nascimbeni, Balogun’s, Barker, John Dorton, who’s, that’ll, De Roché, Xavier Laine, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, France’s Ligue, United, United States men’s national, Mexico, Arsenal, Premier League club’s, Middlesbrough, Ligue, Reims, CNN Sport, Millwall, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, West Brom, EFL Championship, Twitter, ”, Paris Saint, “, Getty, USSF, US, USSF ‘ Locations: USA, Argentine, Brooklyn, United States, England, Qatar, Netherlands, New York, Millwall’s, Reims, Ligue, AFP, Canada, Mexico, France

☆ Roma and Milan share spoils with late goals in top-four battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Milan remain fourth in the standings, level on 57 points with Roma in fifth, with both sides two points behind third-placed Juventus who travel to Bologna on Sunday. Roma's back luck, however, did not end there and Mourinho was forced to make an early change when defender Marash Kumbulla clashed inside the box with Milan forward Olivier Giroud. They had a decent chance just after the half-hour mark but forward Leao fired wide. Milan defenders Davide Calabria and Fikayo Tomori had two more chances before halftime but both missed the target. Milan host second-bottom Cremonese on Wednesday when Roma travel to ninth-placed Monza.

☆ Mbappe looking to reach new heights with ambitious France
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBLIN, March 26 (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe's rise continued as France started their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 4-0 win against the Netherlands and the forward will be looking to reach new heights as Les Bleus face Ireland away in Group B on Monday. Mbappe has scored 38 goals for France and sits in fifth place overall in the list of the country's top scorers, three shy of former great Michel Platini and 15 behind all-time leader Olivier Giroud. Mbappe netted a double at the Stade de France last Friday as France crushed the Netherlands in seemingly casual, yet brutal fashion. "We want to show we can be a great team, that's the identity of this generation - this desire for greatness, a lot of players have that," said the 24-year-old Mbappe. To do that, France will rely on their pair of centre backs after Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate proved unbreakable last Friday.

☆ AC Milan win 2-1 at Salernitana as Serie A returns
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SALERNO, Italy, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Sandro Tonali scored a goal and set up another to guide AC Milan to a 2-1 victory at Salernitana on Wednesday as Serie A returned after a seven-week break for the World Cup and the festive season. Rafael Leao and Tonali struck in the first half as second-placed Milan moved to 36 points, five behind league leaders Napoli who play away to Inter Milan later. Forward Leao gave Milan a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute when he picked up a clever pass from midfielder Tonali and went around goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa for a brilliant finish. Milan could have added more goals but they missed chances, including from Giroud. Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Analysis: Drama specialists Argentina deserve their World Cup title
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Final - Argentina v France - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 18, 2022 Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophy alongside teammates as they celebrate after winning the World Cup REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachLUSAIL, Qatar, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Sunday's World Cup final turned from a one-sided affair into a nerve-racking vintage showdown and it was somehow fitting that footballing diva Argentina prevailed over France amid the drama. "Argentina have been playing a World Cup final, not us," Deschamps said at halftime. The whole Argentina bench ran onto the pitch like headless chicken, but it was somehow not enough drama for a night to remember. France have conceded all the last 14 penalties against them in shootouts, with the last person to miss Luigi Di Biagio in the 1998 World Cup quarter-final. After France's shootout defeats in the Euro 2021 last 16 and 2006 World Cup final, it was a coherent end to a logic-defying final.

☆ Factbox: 10 memorable impressions from the Qatar World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

SAUDI ARABIA STUN ARGENTINAArgentina were cruising in their opening Group C game after Lionel Messi scored a first-half penalty. RONALDO EXITS FINAL WORLD CUP IN TEARSPortugal's talisman became the first male player to score in five World Cups with a penalty against Ghana. FIRST FEMALE REFEREE AT A MEN'S WORLD CUPFrenchwoman Stephanie Frappart was handed control of Germany's final Group E clash against Costa Rica, becoming the first female referee to officiate at a men's World Cup. Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez described it as a big step forward in 'sexist sport' and the 39-year-old Frappart produced a calm and assured display in Germany's victory. Germany needed a win over Costa Rica and for Spain to beat Japan to go through as runners-up, and at halftime that was exactly what was happening.

☆ Stopping the stars won't be enough to win World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

DOHA, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Despite the high profile performances of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in Qatar, Argentina and France can create danger all over the pitch, so stopping the superstars is only one battle in Sunday's World Cup final war. England were quick to double-team Mbappe whenever he picked up the ball and Argentina, probably through Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo De Paul, will try to do the same. Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot have both been excellent in Doha, with the latter expected to return after missing the semi-final through illness. As hundreds of opponents before them can attest, there is no real way to plan to keep him quiet. In general, the two attacks look stronger than the two defences, which, for the neutral at least, is always a good thing in a World Cup final.

☆ Messi's 'Maradona moment' faces formidable French final hurdle
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

They really found their rhythm against Croatia, sweeping aside a team who had just knocked out Brazil, to march into the final on high. France looked the best side in the tournament in their first two group games and recovered from the Tunisia blip to turn on the style in beating Poland 3-1. The final will mark his 26th World Cup appearance, more than any other player, as the stars are seemingly aligning for the mini-maestro. Having lost to Germany in the 2014 final, Argentina are seeking a third triumph to follow 1978 and '86 but France are the team of the moment. Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mental strength, moments of brilliance - how France reached the World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

GROUP STAGE MATCH 2: FRANCE 2-1 DENMARKHaving lost their last two games against Denmark in June and September, France were facing their first real test of the tournament. LAST 16: FRANCE 3-1 POLANDAfter France went through a brief rough patch, Giroud opened the scoring to become France's all-time top scorer on 52 goals - moving one ahead of Thierry Henry. They went ahead thanks to a 25-metre Aurelien Tchouameni strike, but cracked early in the second half with Harry Kane converting a penalty after a Tchouameni foul. They went ahead on five minutes thanks to Theo Hernandez's high-hooked volley, forcing their opponents to take the initiative. France will play Argentina, who are also looking to win the World Cup for the third time, in Sunday's final at the Lusail Stadium.

☆ France and Argentina bring multiple plot lines to mouthwatering World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Standing in Messi’s way is his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé, as France seeks to win back-to-back World Cup trophies. After a shock defeat by Saudi Arabia in its opening group game, Argentina’s World Cup campaign got off to the worst possible start. When asked whether Sunday’s game will be his last at a World Cup, Messi replied: “Yes. Like Griezmann, the 36-year-old Giroud has had a renaissance in this World Cup, after failing to score a single goal in 2018. We’ll enjoy it now and get ready for the last match of this World Cup.”

☆ Defending champion France ends Morocco’s Qatar 2022 dream and reaches fourth World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Defending champion France ended Morocco’s 2022 World Cup dream on Wednesday thanks to a 2-0 victory at the Al Bayt Stadium. France is the first defending World Cup champion to reach the final in two decades. Lionel Messi and Argentina now await as France seeks to win back-to-back World Cup titles. They deserve a lot of credit for this World Cup. We’ll enjoy it now and get ready for the last match of this World Cup.”

☆ France stand firm to overpower gallant Morocco
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"There's emotion, there's pride, there's going to be a final step, we've been together with the players for a month, it's never easy, there's happiness so far," said coach Didier Deschamps. France found themselves in an absorbing battle as Morocco showed them no deference and made many chances of their own, coming close to an equaliser. The world champions’ defence had to scramble several times, including a late goalline clearance and Morocco struck the post with a spectacular bicycle effort. France swept forward and converted their first chance through Hernandez to put their opponents on the back foot. NO FAIRYTALEWhile there was to be no fairytale continuation of their unprecedented run to the last four, Morocco exited with their heads held high.

☆ Analysis: Tactical masterplan, and grit, take France into World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Regragui had noted on Tuesday that France were tactical masters and able to adjust to any opponents as he praised Didier Deschamps as the best coach in the world. In previous games, Belgium, Spain and Portugal had been unable to match Morocco's grit, but on Wednesday, France showed they were also able to fight tooth and nail and rely on players going above and beyond. That wrapped a win that reminded everyone of France's tournament nous and that Argentina better come up with a masterplan of their own in Sunday's final at Lusail stadium. Just like Belgium were left frustrated by their defeat to France four years ago in Russia, Morocco might feel they were the better team on the day. Yet France once again barged into the final like a regular at a nightclub who gets in without a look from the bouncer.

☆ The US may have lost in the World Cup, but soccer is more popular than ever in America
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Harry Enten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +36 min

The Atlas Lions made history as the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal. They made history as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament. Less spoken about is that they also rate better on television than the men do in the World Cup. We’ll just have to wait and see, though with the US, Canada and Mexico hosting the 2026 World Cup, soccer isn’t going away anytime soon.

☆ France favourites but Morocco eye another knockout punch
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The match against former colonial power France will take on an added edge. Morocco's exploits in Qatar have provided an outlet for marginalised migrant communities in France, who have been out on the streets celebrating their wins. After finishing top of a group that also included Croatia, Belgium and Canada, Morocco then knocked off the fancied Spaniards and Portuguese to reach the semis. France are expected to attack, Morocco resist. When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky Balboa and I think we are the Rocky of this World Cup.

☆ As Mbappe takes back seat, old guard drives France on
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DOHA, Dec 11 (Reuters) - As Kylian Mbappe was being muzzled by the England defence, it was France's old guard who took the defending champions through to the World Cup semi-finals in a nerve-racking 2-1 victory on Saturday. Griezmann capped his performance with two assists, the first for Aurelien Tchouameni's first-half thunderbolt, and the second for Giroud's 78th-minute winner. Griezmann has now set up 28 France goals, more than any other player, on his record 72nd consecutive appearance. It was, possibly, the biggest takeaway from France's victory. France next face Morocco, with Mbappe set to battle it out with club team mate and great friend Achraf Hakimi, as Les Bleus look to become the first team to retain their World Cup title since Brazil in 1962.

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