Former Liverpool midfielder, Danny Murphy, has slammed Morocco after their ‘disastrous start’ to their 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final 2-0 defeat against France on Wednesday night.
France got off to a dream start after Theo Hernandez finished off an early attack after a scramble for the ball inside the Morocco box.
Morocco left themselves open while trying to intercept an excellent through-ball to Antoine Griezmann before multiple failed attempts, which saw the ball fall into Hernandez’s path to break the deadlock in the first five minutes of the encounter.
However, Murphy, who was providing live commentary for BBC’s coverage of the semi-final match, was very critical of Morocco’s defending in the goal.
He branded them as ‘too eager’ in their start against the World Cup holders, adding that the Atlas Lions were scrambling all over the place.
“It’s a slip, isn’t it? From [Jawad] El Yamiq – it is naive defending and then they are scrambling all over the place,” Murphy said when commenting on the goal.
“It falls for Hernandez, who takes his time, and it is a good technique for the finish. Waiting for it to drop.
“Great start for France, disastrous start for Morocco. Poor defending was not it; very unlike them.
“Trying to get in front too early against the quality of France. The slip came from being too eager, too keen to try and get in front. No problem, just stay behind him, especially with someone like Griezmann. It is a good pass.
“Last thing they wanted to do, France will be happy to sit back now. It is very good from Hernandez.”
France will now face Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.
