Defending champions France are into the FIFA World Cup final after beating first-time semi-finalists Morocco 2-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday night in Qatar.
Les Bleus will play Argentina in Sunday’s showpiece for the title after Lionel Messi and La Selección beat Croatia 3-0 in the other semi-final on Tuesday.
It was just the start to the game that the French wanted, as Theo Hernandez put the defending champions into the lead in the fifth minute, acrobatically finishing a rebound after the Moroccan defence had initially denied Kylian Mbappe.
Hernandez’s goal was the first scored against Morocco by an opposition player in this tournament.
Hugo Lloris made a good save low down to deny Azzedine Ounahi’s tenth-minute curling effort that looked to sneak into the bottom corner, while Olivier Giroud’s shot at the other end in the 16th minute hit the upright.
Buoyed on by the thousands of Moroccans who had made their way to Qatar to support their team, the Atlas Lions pressed for a way back into the game, and just before half-time, Jawad El Yamiq was unlucky as his overhead kick hit the woodwork and bounced clear.
The Moroccans took control of possession in the second half, as they sought the equaliser, and began to ask questions of the French team, who were content to sit back and try hit on the counter.
But while they threatened in the final third, Hugo Lloris’ goal wasn’t, and as time ticked on, the French began to wrench control away.
And having just come onto the pitch, Randal Kolo Muani made it 2-0 for France in the 79th minute. Like with the first goal, Mbappe was involved as this time he dribbled into the box, and his shot was deflected into the on-rushing Kolo Muani’s path and forty-odd seconds after entering the pitch, the 24-year-old had scored his maiden goal and made certain of France’s progress.
The Atlas Lions continued to press for a goal but couldn’t break through and after six minutes of stoppage time, it ended 2-0, and for the first time this tournament, France kept a clean sheet.
It was a step too far for the Moroccans, who were Africa’s first-ever World Cup semi-finalists, and the world champions booked their chance to defend their title against Argentina.
The third/fourth play-off between Croatia and Morocco will be played on Saturday.
