FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 - NEWS BLOG - UPDATE 46

 QUARTER FINAL 4 - MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

FRANCE VS. ENGLAND

France beat England to reach fourth place in second consecutive World Cup

The quarterfinals of the World Cup Qatar took place on 10 December (11 Japan hours), and defending champions France defeated England 2-1 to advance to the last four of the World Cup for the second consecutive time. In the semi-finals on 14 (15), they will face Morocco, who are the first African team to reach the last four.

France took the lead after 15 minutes of the first half when Chuaméni struck a powerful mid-range shot into the left corner of the goal. A penalty kick equalised in the second half, but Giroud escaped with his fourth goal of the tournament.

The Straits of Dover derby between the two teams was the third World Cup in 40 years, and France won for the first time since 1982 in Spain.

France challenge the curse of champions to win the Channel derby and reach the last four against Morocco in semi-finals

The World Cup Qatar took place on 10 December (11 Japan hours), where defending champions France defeated England 2-1 in the quarterfinals to advance to the last four of the World Cup for the second consecutive time.

In their quest to win back-to-back titles, reigning champions France overcame another obstacle.

For the third time in 40 years, the Dover Channel derby was against England across the sea. Having lost both of their past two matches, their enthusiasm for the bad cards was evident in the intense hits they showed from the start.

In the 17th minute of the first half, the 22-year-old Chuameni opened the scoring with a low trajectory mid-range shot from a position slightly away just in front of the goal. In the second half, we gave away a penalty and equalised, but we didn't panic. In the 33rd minute, Giroud headed in a cross from the left while carrying the opponent's mark.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM OF FRANCE IN WORLD CUP QATAR 2022

Their 35% possession rate is lower than England's 50% and they have eight shots, half of their opponents. In the closing minutes, the opponents were fortunate enough to miss the second penalty of the day. However, they were full of strength in their quick attack from a solid defence and steadily seizing the opportunity. Giroud proudly said: "I'm very proud, we put in a great performance."

This is the 22nd edition of the World Cup, and only two teams have won back-to-back titles: Italy in 1934 and 38 and Brazil in 58 and 62. In recent years, the winning team has tended to struggle in the next tournament, and in the five tournaments up to the last 2018, Brazil, who won in '02, reached the last eight in '06, which was the only case where they advanced to the quarterfinals, and no team made it to the semifinals. France, who won the championship for the first time in '98 when it was hosted by their own country, were eliminated from the Japan-Korea tournament in '02 without scoring a single goal in three matches in the first round. Since that time, they have shown strong progress in their quest to win back-to-back titles.

In the semi-finals, they will face Morocco, who are riding on the momentum by defeating one strong team after another. "We'll do it one by one, the opponent who has done the Giant Killing. We want to play in the same way," said Deschamps. While combining achievements and ability, he abandons his arrogance and confronts them with his eyes fixed on his feet. No team could be more disgusting to their opponents.

Kane misses out on remorseful penalty as England wins and Rooney

The quarter-finals of the World Cup Qatar took place on 10 December (11 Japan hours), where defending fourth-placed England lost to defending champions France 2-1.

The ball went over the top of the box. England ace Kane failed to take a penalty that should have put the game back to square one at the last minute. "As captain, I take responsibility and it's hard to miss a penalty." When the final whistle blew, they crouched on the pitch.

Trailing by one goal, the penalty kick in the ninth minute of the second half stabbed powerfully into the left side of the goal. This brings his total to 53 goals for the national team, equalling the record for the most goals scored by England national team held by Rooney, who played for Manchester United and others. In the 39th minute, when they conceded the lead again, the second penalty of the day was again kicked to the left, but the ball flew into the seats occupied by England supporters. With the victory, the record breaking also disappeared.

In his first appearance at the previous World Cup in Russia 2018, he scored six goals and was crowned top scorer, but the team only finished in the top four. "I believed we could achieve something special this time, but in the end it was decided in small pieces." It was a regrettable ending.

England coach 'takes time' to move on, missing out on World Cup last four

The World Cup Qatar took place on 10 December (11 Japan hours), where defending champions France defeated England 2-1 in the quarterfinals to advance to the last four of the World Cup for the second consecutive time.

In the 17th minute of the first half, a shocking shot from rising French star Chuameni set the game in motion.

France attacked from deep in their own half, with Mbappe exchanging passes from the left flank and carrying the ball to the opposite flank. The opponent was attracted and it was midfielder Chuameni who entered the empty space in the middle. He received a pass from Griezmann and swung a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area. He stabbed a ground-opening mid-range shot into the left net.

While nipping the opponents' attacks in the bud in the midfield, they scattered the ball at a good pace and brought rhythm to the offense and defense. On the other hand, early in the second half, they beat the opposing player Saka in front of their own goal and awarded a remorseful penalty to equalise. While experiencing heaven and hell, he contributed to the team's victory and patted his chest, saying, "I was tormented, but this is the World Cup, so I'm happy."

The 22-year-old won the best rookie in the French first division in the 2020~21 season, and was expected to have a future from early on. This summer, he moved from Monaco to Spanish giants Real Madrid. He made his debut for the full national team in September last year. He has started all five games of the tournament and has successfully filled the void left by mainstays Pogba and Kante who are absent due to injury.

Following Italy and Brazil, they are two wins away from winning back-to-back World Cups for the first time in 60 years. "We have momentum," Chuameni said. Even if one person is absent, someone else is active. As a symbol of a champion who boasts a large roster, he shines on the big stage.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM OF ENGLAND IN WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 - 
ENGLAND QUALIFIES FOR SEMI FINAL

Morocco in Top 4 - The foundation laid by Khalil is combined with the current commander

In the quarterfinals of the World Cup Qatar on 10 December (11 Japan hours), Morocco defeated Portugal to advance to the last four for the first time among African teams.

"Honesty for the fourth time" was realized. Morocco broke the eight-strong barrier that African teams had bounced back from in the past three times, and became the first African team to reach the top four. A team that was in turmoil four months ago has made World Cup history.

Possession of the ball was only 23%. Take advantage of the few opportunities to endure and win. He showed a role model of defeating the superiors. Amrabat, who is strong in interpersonal play and is dynamic at the bottom of the midfield, proudly stated, "This is the way we play and the way we play."

It was in the 42nd minute of the first half that paved the way for victory. Atiatoara's soft left cross saw the 188-centimeter-tall Nesiri leap up. He scored the opening goal with a header that was higher than the opposing goalkeeper's outstretched arm.

When you lead, you have more clarity on what you need to do. Make blocks on your own side and just be patient. In the closing minutes, goalkeeper Bunu made a good save to deny Portugal a goal. They have now conceded one goal in five matches in this tournament. We grabbed the victory with solid defence.

Cameroon in Italy in 1990, Senegal in Japan and Korea in 2002, and Ghana in South Africa in 2002 all shed tears in the quarterfinals, but Amrabat said, "I can't believe it, I'm proud of it."

Another thing that should not be forgotten is that coach Regraghi emphasizes that he has been able to leave a mark on world history in the last four months.

Halilhodzic, who once led the Japan national team, was the head coach, but was sacked in August due to conflicts with key players. Even so, the strength of the "duel" (battle for the ball) sought by the former coach, who led Morocco to the World Cup again this time, which Japan the '18 World Cup in Russia has produced solid defence. It is a breakthrough that has been created by the foundation and the unity that former Morocco coach Reglaghi has enhanced.

Ronaldo: 'My biggest dream is over': Portugal eliminated from World Cup quarter-finals

Portugal's Ronaldo, who was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar, updated his Instagram account on the 11th, saying, "Winning the World Cup was the biggest dream of my career. But last night, that dream was over."

Can the 'curse of the Ballon d'Or' finally be lifted: Messi reaches the semi-finals

It will be interesting to see what happens to the world-famous "Curse of the Ballon d'Or" at the soccer World Cup (World Cup).

The Ballon d'Or is chosen by a French football magazine as the world's best player of the year and is considered the most prestigious individual award in football. However, in previous World Cups, teams of players who won the previous year have failed to win the championship, known as the "Curse of the Ballon d'Or".

But Argentina, with Messi winning the title for the seventh time in 2021, have reached the semi-finals. After losing 0-4 to Germany in the quarterfinals of the 10-year tournament after winning the award in '09, can he break the curse in his fifth World Cup?

It is also interesting to see at what point the curse is introduced. Previously, the World Cup was held in June~July, but due to concerns about extreme heat, this tournament was moved to November~December.

Benzema, who won his first award in October, left the team due to injury just before the start of the season and will miss the World Cup. On the other hand, France, who are aiming for back-to-back titles, have reached the last four. Will the curse befall Argentina or France? Will the curse disappear with the unusual opening in November?

Looking at past Ballon d'Or winners, Cruyff (Netherlands) finished second in West Germany in 1974, and Platini (France) in Mexico in '86 finished third.

In the last edition of the tournament in '18, Portugal, with Ronald, who won the award the previous year, lost to Uruguay in the first round of the playoffs. Ronald had won the '14 tournament the previous year, but was eliminated in the first round.

Soccer World Cup, semi-finals "Competent" and "Contrasting" highlights

The semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar are expected to be contested on 13 and 14 December, with both teams expected to be fierce.

Argentina-Croatia (Japan time, April 14, 4 a.m., Lusail)

Argentina is ranked 3rd and Croatia 12th, but their ability is evenly matched.

Argentina, who are aiming for their third title in nine tournaments, have Messi scoring four goals. In the quarter-finals against the Netherlands, he opened the scoring with an exquisite through ball and scored a penalty. The players around you are full of fighting spirit. Defensively, we want to repel the opponent's attacks with Otamendi as the axis. The concern is that DiMaria is not in perfect condition to change the attack. Acuña, who ran around on the left flank, is suspended and needs to be substituted.

Croatia, who have reached the last four of the tournament for the second time in a row, went to penalties for the second consecutive match. There are concerns about the accumulation of fatigue, but their tenacity is astounding, having reached the final after three consecutive overtime matches in the last World Cup in Russia. The midfield trio of Brozovic, Kovacic and Modric are highly coordinated and can adapt their responses to the way the opponent plays. They also beat Argentina 3-0 in the first round of the previous tournament.