Theo Hernandez fired France into an early lead before
substitute Randal Kolo Muani sealed a 2-0 victory against an
excellent Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium, to send Les Blues into
the World Cup final.
France remained on course to become the first team since
Brazil in 1962 to retain the world title and will now meet
Lionel Messi and Argentina in the showpiece.
Morocco have been the surprise package of Qatar 2022 and
Walid Regragui’s side responded superbly after Hernandez’s
fifth-minute opener, pinning back the world champions for
significant periods in a display of considerable courage and
skill.
But Eintracht Frankfurt striker Kolo Muani proved to be
France’s unlikely hero, scoring with his first touch after
Kylian Mbappe had a shot blocked 11 minutes from time.
In the process of becoming the first African side in history to
reach the World Cup semifinals, Morocco had only conceded
once in the tournament heading into this match, and even that
was an own goal.
Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguard and Noussair Mazraoui were all
passed fit to start but West Ham’s Aguard withdrew after the
warmup and captain Saiss was substituted midway through
the first half when clearly struggling.
That uncertainty seemed to contribute to a chaotic France
opener, where Antoine Griezmann seized upon a slip from
Jawad El Yamiq and cut the ball back to Mbappe. The Paris
Saint-Germain star had his first effort blocked and a second
looped up off Oliver Giroud, with Hernandez alive to the
possibilities as he found an acrobatic finish.
Giroud struck the upright as Saiss’ thigh gave out, but Hugo
Lloris had already produced a save at full stretch from
Azzedine Ounahi by that point and El Yamiq almost atoned
for his error with an overhead kick that thumped the base of
the post.
Mbappe tried to get France back on the front foot after the
restart but it was another winger, Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech,
who was the outstanding attacker of the half, orchestrating
several intricate attacks down the right flank.