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
BarcaChelArg
0
Oh I see , I believe you know the word Backfire , that's what will happen to you guys .. Messi ever best was 2014..but now it's Mbappes world and time to outshine him again
Just come back and comment please
BarcaChelArg
0
You are joking thinkin those France boys is like Croatia or those teams ..it's going to be toe to toe and France will come out on top...reply me after Sunday 9 pm and tell me congratulations
I was expecting to hear from you!!! what's your say now??
LEO-MESSI-GOAT30
1
Say That Again To The Supercomputer Which Concluded France π«π· As The Winner.
can't hear u clearly broπ€£π€£ππ€‘
mohamedabdi143
0
Trying to comfort yourself ππ.. France will trash them
Are still here Argentina π¦π·
Nanarasta111
0
You have it now πππππ¦π·
Oh I surrender, but the France players has to b blamed for that lay minutes chances of Muani..Congratulations Argentina
TripNoiGh
0
Mbappe will as usual outshine Messi so far as world-stage is concern ..the boy is meant for worldcup stages ...I can't wait for Sunday to come
You have it now πππππ¦π·
Sla1091
0
lol..poor cr7 fan
I love none of them!
bobiwine
0
All Arsenal fans are supporting Messi because their own players are fake and they can't afford to take the World Cupππππ πββοΈπββοΈWama let's go for it we Manchester United fans π π π
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Tell me his role in France squad? π€£π€£ Yet he doesn't play any game
lbcrna
0
how? explain it to me!
how about this
Abbajr20
0
they form Boko Haram in Nigeria to kill people,what are they fighting for?
boko haram are not muslim. If u say they are, then u know nothing about islam.
Uzair_Griezmann07
0
So without greizman there are 10 players + 1 Greizman in attack + 1 Greizman in mid. + 1 in defense = 13 players.
The last one was the Gkπ
bamcekmrsz
0
I do not like arrogance of arabs...i do not give a damn. I am African and I wished France to win.
bamcekmrsz
0
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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Frankly speaking i would have chilled 10 times more if one of Ghana, Senegal or Cameroon cruised to 1/2. Arabs think they are special creatures...i have been living with them 4 years+ now
ManUnited-Red
0
wait till sunday...don't rush man
Alright
Bode1
0
Say something relevant next time
wait till sunday...don't rush man
ManUnited-Red
0
No word 2 dat so π€
Say something relevant next time
Keuaeklpsz
0
which Africa, let the backwards ass Muslim go back to killing them self. thank Allah for Israel kill them fucking fools ,take religion out of sports
So you just hate them because they are Muslim country?
Diwbipstu
0
how is Messi number 1 yet mbappe is on top this app is biased
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Messi scored mostly penalties but all of Mbappe's goals are not penalties awarded. Among the 5 goals scored 3 are penalties he scored during play, I guess. But anyone can be number 1 since they have the same number of goals scored.
Diwbipstu
0
We dedicate this DEFEAT to all the Muslims and Arabs. π
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I don't think any Arab Country out there would proudly mention Morocco in the victories. I was also surprised while I was watching the game that when France held the ball there was too much cheering from the crowd in attendance than when Morocco held the ball. Is Qatar not an Arabic nation?
Diwbipstu
0
We dedicate this DEFEAT to all the Muslims and Arabs. π
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Yes, its an Arab defeat by France, I was so disappointed learning that Morocco's victory goes to the Arab world, oh! Morocco what a miscalculated speech???