Courageous Morocco bows out against France
…as the champions reach the W'Cup final
France staged a World Cup final against Argentina after goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani secured a 2-0 win over Morocco on Wednesday.
Didier Deschamps' side became the first defending champions since Brazil in 1998 to return to the final in the next edition with another effective performance at the Al Bayt stadium.
Hernandez struck as France took a fifth-minute lead against Africa's first World Cup semi-finalists, although Morocco had largely taken the upper hand.
That pressure brought no reward, and substitute Kolo Muani's second in the 79th minute saw France become the third team to retain their world crown until Sunday's final against Argentina.
Hernandez gave France an early lead after Kylian Mbappe twice saw efforts blocked, the second deflected falling on the left-back to finish expertly at the far post.
Olivier Giroud smashed a left-footed shot past Yassine Bounou's right post before missing a glorious chance after Jawad El Yamiq denied Mbappe with a last resort clearance.< /p>
El Yamiq nearly equalized with a sensational header from Hakim Ziyech's corner on the stroke of half-time, only to be countered by a stretch Hugo Lloris and his right post.
Raphaël Varane made a vital intervention to thwart Youssef En-Nesyri after the break as Deschamps' men were pushed back, before France sealed victory 11 minutes from time.
A deflected shot from Mbappe rolled past Kolo Muani, just off the bench, to tap at the far post as Morocco's fairytale run came to an end.
France narrowly beat England in a thrilling quarter-final and were again ruthless against Morocco, recording their fourth successive World Cup semi-final victory (also in 1998 , 2006 and 2018).
Walid Regraguis' Morocco had beaten Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the last four after resolute defensive performances, but France proved too big an obstacle.
The final test for Les Bleus awaits in the form of Lionel Messi and Argentina as they aim to join Italy (1938) and Brazil (1962) as the only teams to successfully retain their crown.
Hernandez's first goal, timed at four minutes and 39 seconds, was the fastest World Cup semi-final goal since 1958, when Vava scored for Brazil against France.
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France staged a World Cup final against Argentina after goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani secured a 2-0 win over Morocco on Wednesday.
Didier Deschamps' side became the first defending champions since Brazil in 1998 to return to the final in the next edition with another effective performance at the Al Bayt stadium.
Hernandez struck as France took a fifth-minute lead against Africa's first World Cup semi-finalists, although Morocco had largely taken the upper hand.
That pressure brought no reward, and substitute Kolo Muani's second in the 79th minute saw France become the third team to retain their world crown until Sunday's final against Argentina.
Hernandez gave France an early lead after Kylian Mbappe twice saw efforts blocked, the second deflected falling on the left-back to finish expertly at the far post.
Olivier Giroud smashed a left-footed shot past Yassine Bounou's right post before missing a glorious chance after Jawad El Yamiq denied Mbappe with a last resort clearance.< /p>
El Yamiq nearly equalized with a sensational header from Hakim Ziyech's corner on the stroke of half-time, only to be countered by a stretch Hugo Lloris and his right post.
Raphaël Varane made a vital intervention to thwart Youssef En-Nesyri after the break as Deschamps' men were pushed back, before France sealed victory 11 minutes from time.
A deflected shot from Mbappe rolled past Kolo Muani, just off the bench, to tap at the far post as Morocco's fairytale run came to an end.
France narrowly beat England in a thrilling quarter-final and were again ruthless against Morocco, recording their fourth successive World Cup semi-final victory (also in 1998 , 2006 and 2018).
Walid Regraguis' Morocco had beaten Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the last four after resolute defensive performances, but France proved too big an obstacle.
The final test for Les Bleus awaits in the form of Lionel Messi and Argentina as they aim to join Italy (1938) and Brazil (1962) as the only teams to successfully retain their crown.
Hernandez's first goal, timed at four minutes and 39 seconds, was the fastest World Cup semi-final goal since 1958, when Vava scored for Brazil against France.
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