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Ibrahima Konate has to start ahead of Upamecano in WC final after unreal highlights against Morocco

Home> Football

Updated 21:41 14 Dec 2022 GMTPublished 21:22 14 Dec 2022 GMT

Ibrahima Konate has to start ahead of Upamecano in WC final after unreal highlights against Morocco

Ibrahima Konate produced a monstrous performance in France's 2-0 World Cup semi-final win over Morocco.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

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Ibrahima Konate produced a monstrous defensive performance as France reached a second consecutive World Cup final.

Didier Deschamps' men saw off a spirited Morocco in the semi-final thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and substitute Kolo Muani, the latter scoring with his first touch.

While Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann impressed once again, Konate was arguably the stand-out performer for Les Bleus.

The Liverpool centre-back has largely played second-fiddle to Dayot Upamecano in this tournament but the Bayern Munich man was struck down by illness for this crunch clash.

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That meant that Konate slotted in at the heart of the France back-line alongside Raphael Varane. And he was absolutely exceptional in just his third start of the showpiece.

The 23-year-old was unbelievably assured in his reading of the game and looked a level above Upamecano, who did have a few moments of shakiness in the England victory.

He bullied Morocco's attackers at times, producing vital interceptions, headers and tackles. He was also handy with the ball and set up a huge chance where Olivier Giroud struck the post after getting in behind.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

His impressive performance will surely see him retain his place for Sunday's final against Argentina, with his highlights from the game nothing short of incredible.

He finished the game with 92% pass accuracy, five interceptions, five clearances and 100% success in his aerial duels. Fans on social media could not get enough of Konate and purred over his outing.

One user said: "No matter how many times I watch Ibrahima Konate, I’ll never not be blown away at how complete his skill set is for 23 years of age. He has every attribute a manager would desire from an elite-level centre half. I’d struggle to name a weakness in his game."

Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, commented: "The French MOM was @IbrahimaKonate_. I can’t see how he can be left out of the starting eleven in the final!"

A third fan stated: "Ibrahima Konate is one hell of a centre-back."

Another added: "Ibrahima Konate was unreal for France tonight. He has to start in the World Cup final on Sunday."

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@KonateFC & BBC

Topics: Ibrahima Konate, France, Football World Cup, Morocco

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

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@joshlawless_

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