Amrabat reveals heated conversation with Giroud about striker’s strict tactics as France reach World Cup final

SOFYAN AMRABAT has revealed he had a heated conversation with Olivier Giroud in France’s World Cup semi-final win over Morocco.

The defending world champions booked their place in the final of Qatar 2022 with a 2-0 win over the north Africans on Wednesday night.

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Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat was constantly battling with France’s Olivier Giroud in their World Cup semi-finalCredit: AP

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The pair’s tussles were one of the most interesting battles of the matchCredit: GETTY

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Giroud’s marking got on the nerves of AmrabatCredit: GETTY

Moroccan midfielder Amrabat found himself on the fringe of the historic game, often due to the tracking back of France hitman Giroud.

And he couldn’t help but give the pesky poacher a piece of his mind as he repeatedly thwarted his efforts to help his team-mates.

He told NOS: “Their striker, Olivier Giroud, followed me everywhere all over the field.

“I said to him, just STOP! He replied that he was instructed to follow me for the whole game.”

France booked their place in their second successive World Cup final thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and substitute Randal Kolo Muani.

Victory over the French would’ve seen Morocco become the first African team to reach the World Cup finals.

After the match, a crestfallen Amrabat said: “We feel very bitter that we couldn’t do more.

“France let us have the initiative from the start, so I guess that’s a compliment really.

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“Unfortunately, it was tough after stupidly conceding such an early goal and we had to play into their hands, with the pace they have up-front.”

Although they missed out on a historic final, Morocco can look back on Qatar 2022 with pride as they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

He said: “Maybe when we look back, we’ll realise it, but right now it’s mostly bitterness.

“It’s especially painful when the game was so close.”

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Defeat to the French saw Morocco miss out on becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup finalCredit: Getty

Defending world champions France will play South American kings Argentina in Sunday’s final at the Lusail Stadium.

Morocco, meanwhile, will face Croatia in the third-placed play-off on Sunday.