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‘It’s a naive defence’: Danny Murphy criticizes Morocco’s ‘DISASTROUS start’ as Theo Hernandez scores fastest World Cup semi-final goal in 64 YEARS after scoring inside five minutes, while qualifying Africa team as ‘too anxious’
Danny Murphy criticized Morocco for their ‘disastrous start’ in their World Cup semi-final against France after Theo Hernandez broke the tie within five minutes.
France got off to a dream start after Hernández acrobatically finished off an early attack following a scramble for the ball inside the Morocco box.
Morocco lay open 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 tie.
Danny Murphy has criticized Morocco’s ‘naive’ defense for France’s opener
Theo Hernandez (top left) gave France the lead in five minutes against Morocco
Murphy, who was providing live commentary for the BBC’s coverage of the match, was highly critical of Morocco’s defense in goal, calling them “too eager” in their start against the reigning world champions.
‘It’s a slip, isn’t it? [Jawad] El Yamiq: It’s a naive defense and then they fight all over the place,” Murphy said reflecting on the goal. ‘Fall in love [Theo] Hernández, who takes his time, and is a good technique for the shot. He waits for it to drop.
Great start for France, disastrous start for Morocco. Poor defense, right? Very different from them.
‘Trying to get in front too early against the quality of France. The slip came from being too eager, too eager to try to get ahead. There is no problem staying behind him, especially with someone like Griezmann. It’s a good pass.
Murphy called Morocco “too eager” and criticized their defense for France’s first goal
Hernández celebrates scoring the fastest goal in the World Cup semifinals in 64 years
‘The last thing they wanted to do, France will be happy to sit down now. It’s very good from Hernández.’
Hernández’s goal after four minutes and 39 seconds is the fastest goal scored in a World Cup semi-final since 1958, when Vava scored inside two minutes for Brazil against France.
France doubled their lead through substitute Randal Kolo Muani in the second half to book their place in the World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday.