France midfielder Adrien Rabiot took a jab at Morocco following Les Bleus' quarter-final triumph in the FIFA World Cup 2026, stating that the team “had little to worry about” from their opponents, who struggled to create any real threats in possession during the 2-0 victory in Boston on Thursday.
Morocco managed only five shots compared to France's 22, with just one on target, while Les Bleus recorded eight shots on goal.
After the match, Rabiot remarked that France felt untroubled when Morocco had the ball, but recognized that their skilled players could still change the outcome at any moment, necessitating constant alertness.
“We sensed that in the instances when we didn’t have the ball and allowed them to take it, they weren’t particularly dangerous,” Rabiot was quoted by L’Equipe (via Asia Net News).
“We had little to be concerned about with this team. That was the impression we had on the field. It’s unexpected. However, they remain a team capable of making a difference at any moment due to their remarkable individual talents. That’s why we must always remain alert.”
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Rabiot commended France’s concentration, resilience, and camaraderie after the game, emphasizing the team's ability to maintain composure even after missing a penalty in the first half.
He noted that reaching a third consecutive World Cup semi-final is a significant accomplishment and attributed it to the squad's strong unity.
It’s worth mentioning that France clinched the 2018 World Cup, came in second after losing to Argentina in the 2022 final, and now advanced to another semi-final in the 2026 tournament.
“We were very focused. And then, when we had the ball, we utilized it effectively. Even though we started poorly with Bounou’s penalty save, we remained in the game. That’s where you can see the strength of the team because we display determination and resilience as well.
“We’re not taking the third consecutive World Cup semi-final for granted at all in the locker room. I can assure you we were extremely pleased. There’s a lot of joy because we’ve been putting in the effort for several weeks. The group is exceptional. Everyone is united, and it’s magnificent,” Rabiot stated.
