France book World Cup final spot at Morocco's expense

France booked their place into another World Cup final after defeating Morocco 2-0 thanks to goals from Theo Hernández and substitute Randal Kolo Muani.

Action: Morocco couldn’t have asked for a worse start to their first-ever World Cup semi-final. Nayef Aguerd was a doubt going into the game and despite being named in the original starting XI had to be replaced by Achraf Dari. 

Then it took France just five minutes to take the lead. Antonine Griezmann did well to find space in what had been a compact Morocco defence until now. The Atlético man laid the ball off for Kylian Mbappé, whose shot was deflected into the path of Theo Hernández. Hernández’s finish wasn’t the easiest as the ball bounced up awkwardly but the defender was able to put the ball past a scrambling Moroccan defence.

France almost doubled their lead not long after when a long ball over the top let Olivier Giroud in behind the defence – the striker’s shot cannoned off Yassine Bono’s post.

Then Hoalid Regragui was forced into another change as Romain Saïss, who was another doubt for the game, had to be replaced by Selim Amallah after just 21 minutes.

�Getty Images

The Atlas Lions brought that good play into the second half too. Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi were both giving Hernández a difficult time down the right side of the pitch and their link-up play was wonderful to watch. 

But of course, France always carried a threat going forward and Didier Deschamps’ substitutions helped Les Bleus seal the win.

With 79 minutes gone Mbappé linked up with Marcus Thuram down the left with the ball eventually breaking kindly to Randal Kolo Muani. The Eintracht Frankfurt forward had been on the pitch for just a few seconds when he was able to tap the ball into an empty net and guarantee France’s place in the final against Argentina on Sunday.

Morocco kept fighting valiantly until the very end and were unlucky not to have scored a goal they would have certainly merited when they had a shot cleared off the line deep into stoppage time. Still, the history-making team can return home with their heads held high.

Reaction: Goalscorer Theo Hernández: "It's incredible. To play two finals in a row is incredible. We did a great job, it was hard. We know the final against Argentina is going to be a big game... we're going to work hard to win this final. I have a big thought for my brother [Lucas], I hope he will be there. It's incredible, I'm going to enjoy it with my family, all the players, and the coach too."

Magic Moment: Sofyan Amrabat has been one of the stand-out players in Qatar and he showed exactly the kind of determination his Morocco team have displayed all tournament long when charged virtually down the length of the pitch to catch Mbappé (no easy feat) and put in a meaty challenge to regain the ball.

Man of the Match: Antoine Griezmann was scheming again for France and it was the Atlético Madrid player who was able to find the space in that solid Morocco defence to help give his side an early lead. They didn't look back from there.

xG: France (2.23) 2-0 (1.06) Morocco

Stat of the Day: France reach successive World Cup finals for the first time since Brazil did the same thing (1998 and 2002). Of course, France won against Brazil in that 1998 final.

𝐎𝐍 𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐄 𝐋𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐏𝐄 𝐃𝐔 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐄 ! 🔥🔥🔥#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/xEC82Tr88x

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) December 14, 2022