Patrice Evra believes Morocco can cause an upset in the World Cup knockouts as they prepare for their quarter-final clash with France.
Morocco became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final four years ago in Qatar before losing to eventual runners-up France.
Mohamed Ouahbi’s side were highly fancied once again heading into this summer’s tournament and impressed in their opener with a 1-1 draw against five-time winners Brazil.
Subsequent wins against Scotland and Haiti saw Morocco finish second in Group C and punch their ticket into the knockout rounds for only the third time in their history.
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But Morocco continued their fine recent World Cup record, beating the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32 before thumping co-hosts Canada to reach the quarter-finals.
A hugely anticipated rematch with France now awaits Morocco in the quarter-finals, as Didier Deschamps’ side look to continue their perfect record at this World Cup.
But former Manchester United defender Evra believes Morocco have the perfect mindset to cause an upset and reach the semi-finals for a second successive World Cup.
‘A dark horse is not always the team with the biggest names,’ he told Stake. ‘Sometimes it’s the team that is willing to suffer the most.
‘If I have to pick one from the teams still alive, I like Morocco. They have character, they fight, they believe, and nobody enjoys playing against them in knockout football.’
Evra competed at two World Cups with France, captaining the side as they suffered a disastrous group-stage exit in 2010 before returning to the squads as they reached the quarter-finals in 2014.
Spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe, Les Bleus now have the opportunity to become just the third nation after West Germany and Brazil to reach three consecutive finals.
But Evra insists the Real Madrid star cannot win the World Cup by himself, adding: ‘When you have Kylian Mbappe, of course you play to his strengths.
‘That is normal. You don’t have that kind of weapon and pretend he is just another player.
‘I’ve been tough on Kylian before, but never because of his talent. It’s because I want him to become even more complete, more responsible for the whole team, not just for the moments when he scores.
‘What I like in this World Cup is that he’s making better decisions. He’s involving people more.
‘France are stronger when Mbappe is at his best, but let’s be clear: you don’t win a World Cup with one player. Everyone still has to do their job.’
Should France get past Morocco, they would face the winner of Spain versus Belgium for a place in next Sunday’s final in New Jersey.
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