France 2-0 Morocco
France have joined Argentina in the World Cup 2022 final after beating Morocco, giving themselves a chance to become the first European nation to win back to back World Cups.
Theo Hernandez gave Les Bleus a fourth minute lead and supersub Randal Kolo Muaini made it two, with ten minutes to play but, for the intervening 75 minutes Morocco gave it a real go and were well in the game until the late hammer blow. The big players on the day; Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Hakim Ziyech and Sofyan Amrabat were all at their best in a pulsating 96 minutes, but it was two moments of quality which won the game for Les Bleus, though every neutral will tell you the brave Atlas Lions certainly deserved a goal.
Highlights of the game
France, in search of a second successive world title, couldn’t have had a better start than they did at the Al Bayt Stadium… and it was the worst start Morocco could imagine. The Atlas Lions hadn’t conceded a goal to an opposition player in the tournament but Antoine Griezmann, who’s been in brilliant form throughout the World Cup, unlocked the Lions defence all too easily. The Atletico Madrid man twisted his way behind the African’s rearguard and found Kylian Mbappe whose shot was blocked, but the ball dropped to full back Hernandez who hit a superb first time volley home.
The World Cup 2022 highlights have certainly been enriched by the Moroccans and they had plenty of attacking intent in this game. 22 year old midfielder Azzedine Ounahi has been impressive throughout the tournament and he hit a beautifully dipping shot which Hugo Lloris kept out with his fingertips. But France almost doubled their lead on 18 minutes when Olivier Giroud, still sniffing a Golden boot with four goals, got in behind Romain Saiss and fired his shot against the near post.
Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech has increased his stock immeasurably in this tournament wit a series of top class display and he was on fire again tonight, firing dangerous balls into the French penalty area and, when one was desperately headed clear, centre back Jawad El Yamiq tried a spectacular overhead kick which cannoned off the post.
Morocco came out in the second half all guns blazing and only a well timed interception from Raphael Varane stopped Youssef En Nesyri from equalising. The Atlas Lions fully deserved to be in the semi-final and they were knocking the ball around with confidence probing at the France defence. They had another great chance to level, on 76 minutes, as Abderrazak Hamdallah weaved his way into the penalty area but he was too hesitant when the chance to pull the trigger came. And that was the final moment of hope for the Moroccans, because France hit them hard with their next attack.
24 year old Eintracht Frankfurt striker Kolo Muaini had only been on the pitch for a few seconds when he poked home a rebound, after Mbappe had a shot saved. Les Bleus are through to the final and Morocco go home with their heads held high.
Key statistics
France are unbeaten against the Atlas Lions, winning four and drawing two, and this win gives Didier Deschamps’ team the chance to become the first team to defend their world title since Brazil in 1962.
And this was Les Bleus’ fourth consecutive semi-final victory after winning in 1998, 2006 and 2018.
The defeat for Morocco ended a run of six matches without a loss, the longest unbeaten run for an African side in the World Cup.
What’s next?
My SBOTOP colleague paid tribute to the Atlas Lions as the finest Africa have offered in this tournament and they went out of the competition with their heads held high. And they have a chance to take third place when they face Zlatco Dalic’s Croatia on Saturday.
France will face Argentina, who were at their best at times in their 3-0 win over Croatia, as Manchester City centre forward Julian Alvarez scored a brace, one of the goals set up brilliantly by Lionel Messi who also scored his fifth goal of the tournament.
This is almost the perfect final, though Brazil fans I’m sure will disagree. The pre-tournament World Cup 2022 betting odds pitched Argentina and France as second favourites and the outcome is hard to predict.
The stars are aligning for Messi to reach his destiny, but his PSG team-mate Mbappe believes he is ready to take the crown.
This is not a game to miss.
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