France will face Argentina in the World Cup final after defeating Morocco 2-0 in an enthralling semi-final on Wednesday to maintain their title defence and end the north Africans’ fairytale run in Qatar.
Theo Hernandez scored in the fifth minute for the holders, who would have hoped for an early goal to silence the rowdy Moroccan crowd at Al Bayt Stadium and dent their team’s confidence.
However, Morocco overcame injury setbacks and showed no regard for France’s reputation, taking the game to them in a gallant effort that added to their glowing reputation at the tournament.
France sealed the game with a second goal 11 minutes from time, as substitute Randal Kolo Muani tucked in a shot at the back post with his first touch after coming on.
To finish off a sweeping move started by Antoine Griezmann’s run down the right and a cutback pass that Kylian Mbappe initially fluffed, Hernandez had to lift his left foot high to connect with a bouncing ball from a tight angle.
Mbappe set up the second goal by first dribbling through the Moroccan defence and then shooting, his effort being blocked but falling for Kolo Muani to score.
In the first half, Olivier Giroud hit the post and missed from close range after Aurelien Tchouameni’s barnstorming run through the middle.
The midfielder threaded a superb ball to Mbappe, whose miscued shot was poorly cleared, allowing Giroud a close-in first-time shot that was wide.
Morocco, on the other hand, were never overawed and had chances, with Azzedine Ounahi forcing two good saves from French captain Hugo Lloris with speculative efforts, and curling set-pieces putting the French defence under pressure.
The north Africans were hit hard by injuries to their key centre backs, with the gamble of starting Nayef Aguerd failing to pay off after he injured his hamstring in the warm-up, and skipper Romain Saiss having to go off after 20 minutes.
Bicycle Kick
Replacement centre back Jawad El Yamiq, on the other hand, came the closest to equalising with a spectacular bicycle kick on the stroke of halftime from a poorly cleared corner by the French, with Lloris getting a vital touch as it hit the base of the upright.
France’s victory set up a tense showdown between Argentina’s Lionel Messi, nearing the end of his international career, and France’s Mbappe, emerging as the world game’s next superstar.
Morocco’s exit was mitigated by the fact that they were the first African and Arab country to reach the World Cup semi-finals, a feat widely celebrated. When they return home after Saturday’s third-place playoff against Croatia, they will be hailed as heroes.