Following their semi-final victory over Morocco, France secured their spot in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina.
Without giving up a goal they didn’t score themselves, Morocco had gone five games and 30 minutes of extra time without doing so. The world champions France put an end to that in less than five minutes, and they are now one victory away from becoming the first team to repeat as champions since Brazil 60 years ago.
France, the defending champions become the first team since Brazil in 2002 to advance to back-to-back World Cup finals thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and substitute Kolo Muani in each half.
The expected creators delivered the first blow, albeit not quite with the expected fluidity. Kylian Mbappé received the ball from Antoine Griezmann in the penalty area, but his shot was blocked by the crowded area. Theo Hernández of the left back line, however, was able to get a foot over the elevated ball and direct it in for a goal.
But advantages often give France space, which can be deadly. It appeared as though it would when Olivier Giroud lit up the woodwork with his left foot 12 minutes after the goal. Ten minutes before halftime, it happened once more when Mbappé advanced for the first opportunity following a Morocco turnover, and Giroud then missed again with France’s seventh shot of the game.
All of that was outdone by Morocco’s best opportunity of the half, which came after the team won a corner. A promising Hakim Ziyech delivery led to an overhead attempt from Jawad El Yamiq that struck the woodwork and gave the teams a match on their hands going into halftime. The final four set pieces all came from the well-known Moroccan right flank, where Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi complemented each other to great effect.
Morocco had the better start in the first half and continued that strength in the second, launching wave after wave of attacks toward the French goal but producing few genuinely clear chances. Lloris and the centre backs in front of him were able to stop everything that was sent into the box as Les Bleus remained resilient.
In the end, the Atlas Lions were made to regret not maximising their pressure, particularly in a potential sliding door scenario when substitute Abderrazak Hamdallah rolled his way through but notably hesitated as matters opened up for him and missed the opportunity to shoot.
Kolo Muani quickly delivered a fatal blow that put France beyond reach. Mbappe, who wasn’t playing particularly well overall, was once more active as he outran several Moroccan defenders. Similar to the first goal, the opportunity was created by his deflected shot, which the substitute took advantage of.
Jules Kounde was at the right spot at the right moment to scoop it off the line, defying Morocco’s hopes that they might have at least a consolation in injury time through Hamdallah.
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