France beat Morocco 2-0 to seal their place in the World Cup final. The talent of the French side was too much for Morocco’s collective effort, especially in the first half. The “Atlas Lions” can walk away proud of a tournament they will remember for the rest of their lives. They eliminated powerhouses like Portugal, Spain and Belgium and went toe to toe with the reigning champions in the semifinal.
The match was exciting from the kickoff, with Morocco dominating in the opening minutes and the French team waiting in the wings to counterattack. Luckily for “Les Bleus,” they converted the first chance they saw.
In the 5th minute of the match, Antoine Griezmann crossed to Kylian Mbappé who shot against the leg of one of the Moroccan defenders. The ball was deflected to Theo Hernandez (1-0) and he put home the goal with an acrobatic finish. The game quickly became an uphill battle for Morocco.
🔥 The champion doesn't mess around!
⚽ Theo Hernández opens the scoring on #FRA 's first chance #GolMundial pic.twitter.com/sVmffsVARl
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 14, 2022
From the start, the match was very different from Argentina's victory over Croatia in the other semifinal yesterday. After conceding the first goal, the “Atlas Lions” did not give up knowing there was plenty of time left to mount a comeback. In the 10th minute, the Moroccans nearly pulled even. Hugo Lloris made a great save after a shot from outside the box by Azzedine Ounahi, one of the breakout players of the tournament.
Seven minutes later, Olivier Giroud nearly had the second goal for “Les Bleus,” but his powerful shot hit the left post of the goal defended by Yassine Bounou.
🚀 It almost broke the stick! Giroud's dive into the woodwork! #GolMundial pic.twitter.com/C6FRXeg7c0
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 14, 2022
Giroud had another opportunity in the 36th minute. He was completely alone in the box, but his shot went wide. Morocco’s Jawad El Yamiq added to the excitement at the end of the first half when his acrobatic bicycle kick rattled off the post.
In the second half, both teams showed signs of fatigue. Marcus Thuram had the chance to extend the lead with a header that went just wide of the Moroccan goal.
The dagger came in the 79th minute. French forward Randal Kolo Muani (2-0) scored the second and final goal of the match, guiding the ball in after a great sequence by Mbappé.
First ball touched by Kolo Muani in the semis of a World Cup and this happens! 🔥
🐢 And Mbappé is a scandal!
✈️ Content sponsored by @emirates #FlyBetter #GolMundial pic.twitter.com/bIQzrY36nd
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 14, 2022
Morocco had the chance to get on the scoreboard and add tension and excitement to the final moments of the match, but Jules Koundé was able to keep out a threatening Moroccan shot.
France to the final!
It was a great match for the reigning world champions, who will defend their title against Argentina this Sunday at the Lusail Stadium. Didier Deschamps’ team has shown throughout the tournament why it opened the World Cup as one of the favorites.
Morocco came within a whisker of achieving what the soccer world could never have imagined a month ago. Despite their defeat, Moroccan fans will always remember the great feat achieved by this team at the 2022 World Cup. The “Atlas Lions” will face Croatia in the third place match.
