France begin their push for a third World Cup title on Thursday when they meet Morocco in the quarter-finals at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston.

The match is a repeat of the 2022 semi-final in Qatar, which France won 2-0 before losing the final to Argentina.

After a month of action, the tournament has been reduced to eight teams. France have emerged as one of the strongest sides, scoring 14 goals in five games, with captain Kylian Mbappe netting seven.

Mbappe is part of a four-way race for the Golden Boot. Argentina’s Lionel Messi leads with eight goals, Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland have seven each, and England’s Harry Kane has six.

Morocco reached the quarter-finals after topping their group, beating the Netherlands in the last 32 and defeating Canada in the round of 16. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who led Morocco to victory in last year’s under-20 World Cup, has built a side that combines technical skill with physical strength.

The winner will face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals. Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in the last 16 on Monday, while Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in Seattle the same day.

Belgium struggled in the group stage but have improved as the tournament progressed. They came from 2-0 down with four minutes remaining to beat Senegal 3-2 in the last 32.

Argentina survive Egypt scare

Holders Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday after two narrow escapes. They beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time in the last 32, then recovered from 2-0 down against Egypt on Tuesday to win 3-2 in Atlanta.

Messi was in tears after the Egypt match. “We wanted to stay in the tournament,” he said. “We didn’t want today to be the end, we didn’t want to go home.”

Argentina are aiming to become the first back-to-back champions since Brazil in 1962.

WATCH THE ARGENTINA vs EGYPT HIGHLIGHTS HERE.

England face Norway test

The winner of Argentina-Switzerland will meet either England or Norway in the semi-finals in Atlanta next week.

England reached the quarter-finals with a 3-2 win over Mexico in the Azteca Stadium on Sunday. Midfielder Jude Bellingham said the victory had given the team belief.

“I’m convinced we can win it and I hope that a win like this can give them that same conviction that they’re top players and we shouldn’t fear anyone,” Bellingham said.

Norway beat Brazil 2-0 in the last 16 on Sunday, with both goals from Haaland.

“We have to study England but obviously we have seen them in their previous games in the tournament and they will be a very strong opponent, but hopefully it will be a very even and tight game,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said.

Quarter-final fixtures

• Thursday: France v Morocco – 22:00 (SA time)
• Friday: Spain v Belgium – 21:00
• Saturday: Argentina v Switzerland – 23:00
• Sunday: England v Norway – 02:00

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