Danny Murphy slams Morocco after conceding early France opener
Danny Murphy has blasted Morocco following their ‘disastrous start’ to their World Cup semi-final defeat by France after Theo Hernandez broke the deadlock inside five minutes.
France got off to a dream start after Hernandez acrobatically finished off an early attack following a scramble for the ball inside the Morocco box.
Morocco left themselves open while trying to intercept a brilliant through-ball to Antoine Griezmann before multiple failed attempts to block and clear Kylian Mbappe’s shots saw the ball fall into Hernandez’s path to break the deadlock.
Murphy, who was providing live commentary for BBC’s coverage of the match, was very critical of Morocco’s defending in the goal, branding them as ‘too eager’ in their start against the reigning world champions.
‘It’s a slip isn’t it from [Jawad] El Yamiq – it’s naive defending and then they’re scrambling all over the place,’ Murphy said when reflecting on the goal. ‘It falls for [Theo] Hernandez, who takes his time, and it’s good technique for the finish. Waits for it to drop.
‘Great start for France, disastrous start for Morocco. Poor defending wasn’t 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’s a good pass.
‘Last thing they wanted to do, France will be happy to sit back now. It’s very good from Hernandez.’
Hernandez’s goal after four minutes and 39 seconds is the quickest goal to be scored in a World Cup semi-final since 1958, when Vava netted within two minutes for Brazil against the French.
France went on to double their lead through substitute Randal Kolo Muani in the second half to book their spot in the World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday.
