World Champions France reached successive World Cup final to face Argentina, with goals from Theo Hernandez and Kolo Muani sealing a hard-fought victory over Morocco.
Morocco, the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final refused to buckle despite suffering the early blows of losing key defender Nayef Aguerd to injury after he was named in the starting line-up, and then going behind to Theo Hernandez's scrambled fifth minute goal.
France, for all Morocco's endeavour and spirit, were more clinical and substitute Kolo Muani ensured they will defend their crown against Argentina and Lionel Messi at Lusail Stadium on Sunday when he turned in Kylian Mbappe's deflected shot 11 minutes from time.
Morocco also lost the clearly unfit Romain Saiss to injury before half-time but, roared on by their fanatical support, they came close to drawing level, especially when Jawad El Yamiq's overhead kick was kept out by a combination of the post and France keeper Hugo Lloris.
France, with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate outstanding, kept their composure in the hothouse atmosphere of Al Bayt Stadium and had chances of their own, Olivier Giroud striking the post in the first half.
Didier Deschamps' side always threatened on the break and so it proved as the lurking Muani finally broke Morocco's resistance late on.
Match Events
4' GOAL! France 1-0 Morocco (Theo)
10' What a save from Lioris!
16' Ziyech scuffs his attempt
17' CLOSE! Giroud hits the post
26' Yellow Card! Boufal booked
33' Fofanaβs shot flies into the sky
36' Missed! Giroud fails to score in front of an open goal!
45' Super save from Lloris!
51' No foul? Mbappe has been taken down in the box!
78' GOAL! France 2-0 Morocco (Muani)
Line-ups
France XI: Lloris, Giroud, Griezmann, Varane, Dembele, Theo, Mbappe, Konate, Kounde, AurΓ©lien Tchouameni, Youssouf Fofana
Subs: Mandanda, Areola, Veretout, Coman, Thuram, Pavard, Upamecano, Axel Disasi, Guendouzi, Muani, William Saliba, Eduardo Camavinga
Morocco XI: Bounou, Saiss, Boufal, Ziyech, Amrabat, Mazraoui, Hakimi, El Yamiq, En-Nesyri, Azzedine Ounahi, Achraf Dari
Subs: Munir, Abderrazak Hamdallah, A. Tagnaouti, Badr Benoun, Selim Amallah, Ilias Chair, A.Sabiri, Zakaria Aboukhlal, Anass Zaroury, Yahya Jabrane, Yahia Attiyat Allah, Ez Abde, Bilal El Khannouss
ElenaLopez
858
We african are proud of u Morocco π²π¦ come back stronger.No Africa man skip this they deserve more than that.its a privilege for us.first Africa semi final..we love you Moroccan and support you β€ who is with me π
Uzair_Griezmann07
531
βThe game was unfair because France was playing with 14 players. There was a Griezmann in attack, in the midfield and in defense."
deomodricdavid
360
France won the game, but this Boy win our β€οΈ,, Fro those who likes His performance, let's gather here,,
NotAFan
270
JUST TO BE SAFE:Is FRANCE really a EUROPEAN COUNTRY or AFRICAN COUNTRY coz I was CONFUSED of Whom to SUPPORT in this MATCH
whyAlwaysMi
248
We dedicate this DEFEAT to all the Muslims and Arabs. π
Doxmang
204
Mbappe put on Hakimi's shirt after they swapped π₯Ήβ€οΈOne love π keep us together bro.
Demiadd
203
Argentina opponents in the finals: France Ronaldo fans Ronaldo sister Portugal fans Man United fans Real Madrid fans Piers Morgan Some Brazil fans Netherlands fans Messi haters (who donβt necessarily like France or Mbappe they just hate Messi more)
Abbajr20
161
congratulations Morocco you make all afrocan proud
Leolion111
151
Morocco π²π¦ lost is a loss for the Arabs just like you guys has always dedicate your wins to the Arab and not Africa
Wuuabouy
125
Now the battle line is drawn. Argentina will surely wipe away France. One love Leo, one victory, one Argentina.π₯π₯π₯
Amgnonijunior
92
Morocco defenders anytime they see Mbappe coming towards them ππ
Amgnonijunior
88
Morocco defender rushing to tell Argentina defenders that they'll face Mbappe on Sunday ππ
Lauralee
83
This Morocco π²π¦ team may have not won the World Cup, but they won the hearts of the football world β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
NotAFan
67
We Both Know that FRANCE is an AFRICAN COUNTRY with alot of our BOYS,so AFRICA is still in the TOURNAMENT
1barcaspurs
66
We don't care who will face us, coz we have the Goatπ₯π₯π₯πͺπͺπ
Adobelive
52
The GIF is already here, my pleasure: http://www.goalgif.xyz/v2/live/matchGifs?match_id=53374385&language=en
raudiklop
15
We african are proud of u Morocco π²π¦ come back stronger.No Africa man skip this they deserve more than that.its a privilege for us.first Africa semi final..we love you Moroccan and support you β€ who is with me π
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We Africans are not proud of Morocco. They are not there to represent Africa but Arab nations!
paaadimpt
14
We african are proud of u Morocco π²π¦ come back stronger.No Africa man skip this they deserve more than that.its a privilege for us.first Africa semi final..we love you Moroccan and support you β€ who is with me π
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We as Africans actually are very happy rhat Morocco as lost they denied us and decided to represent Arabs but our God is great He has put them were they belong
Elume12
12
We african are proud of u Morocco π²π¦ come back stronger.No Africa man skip this they deserve more than that.its a privilege for us.first Africa semi final..we love you Moroccan and support you β€ who is with me π
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Nobody proud of Morocco Bro. Their Arab nations should be proud of them
Sunusi111
11
We dedicate this DEFEAT to all the Muslims and Arabs. π
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we musleem accepted it and we all knew that itz part of their fate and nothing can changed it congratulation to France national team. we African are proud with you Moroccan's
Faeeinrs
11
We dedicate this DEFEAT to all the Muslims and Arabs. π
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the Muslim are out no more inshallh Allah and other crap , bye bye pedophiles
deodktz
11
We dedicate this DEFEAT to all the Muslims and Arabs. π
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Country will always win over religion... Football will always win over religion...Allez les blues..
Demiadd
8
I'm a united fan supporting messi π
I should have said fake Man United fans. And Iβm not saying youβre real just because u said u support Messi but some of the imposters posing as Man U fans are Ronaldo loyalist, they donβt care about the club they just love Ronaldo.
Chelseawealth||
8
We dedicate this DEFEAT to all the Muslims and Arabs. π
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