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.
2022 World Cup
2-0
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' Fofana’s 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, Aurélien 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