The World Cup quarterfinals have begun, with France and Morocco facing off in a highly anticipated match. The two teams have a long history of rivalry, with Morocco seeking to avenge its loss to France in the 2022 World Cup semifinals.

History of Rivalry

France and Morocco have a complex history, with Morocco having been a French colony in the past. This has led to a significant Moroccan diaspora community in France, with many Moroccan players having been born in France. In fact, six French-born players could line up for Morocco in the quarterfinals, having chosen to represent the country of their roots.

Despite being the underdog, Morocco has shown its grit in the knockout rounds, beating the Netherlands on penalties and dispatching Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16. France, on the other hand, has had a relatively easy run, breezing through the group stage and thrashing Sweden in the Round of 32.

Golden Boot Race

The World Cup has also seen a fierce competition for the Golden Boot, with Lionel Messi currently leading the way with eight goals. Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are close behind, with six goals each.

The quarterfinals will see some exciting matches, with the winners advancing to the semifinals. The World Cup has been marked by controversy, with accusations of biased refereeing and questions about the use of the video assistant referee (VAR). Despite this, the tournament has been a thrilling ride, with many exciting moments and surprises.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.