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FIFA World Cup PIX: France down Morocco, set up Argentina final

Last updated on: December 15, 2022 02:57 IST

Images from the FIFA World Cup semi-final played between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.

France players celebrate after their win over Morocco to progress to the final

IMAGE: France players celebrate after their win over Morocco to progress to the final. Photograph: Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters

France will take on Argentina in the World Cup final after beating Morocco 2-0 in an absorbing semi-final on Wednesday to stay on course for a successful title defence and end the fairytale run of the north Africans in Qatar.

 

Theo Hernandez scored in the fifth minute in a perfect start for the holders, who would have been looking for an early strike to silence the rowdy Moroccan support at the Al Bayt Stadium and dent the confidence of their team.

France's Randal Kolo Muani scores the team's second goal past Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou

IMAGE: France's Randal Kolo Muani scores the team's second goal past Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou. Photograph: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

But it still proved a close-run clash as Morocco overcame injury blows and showed no deference to France’s reputation, taking the game to them in a gallant effort that added to the glowing reputation they have earned at the tournament.

France settled the outcome with a second goal 11 minutes from time as substitute Randal Kolo Muani, with a first touch after coming on, tucked in a shot at the back post.

France's Marcus Thuram is challenged by Morocco's Achraf Hakimi

IMAGE: France's Marcus Thuram is challenged by Morocco's Achraf Hakimi. Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images

For the first goal, Hernandez had to lift his left foot high to connect with a bouncing ball from a tight angle to finish off a sweeping move started by Antoine Griezmann’s run down the right and a cutback pass that Kylian Mbappe initially fluffed.

Mbappe was the creator of the second as he attempted first to dribble through the Morocco defence and then shot, his effort blocked but falling for Kolo Muani to net.

France's Kylian Mbappe is tackled by Morocco's Sofyan Amrabat

IMAGE: France's Kylian Mbappe is tackled by Morocco's Sofyan Amrabat. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Olivier Giroud struck the post and missed from point-blank range in the first half at the end of a barnstorming run through the middle from Aurelien Tchouameni.

The midfielder threaded a superb ball to find Mbappe, whose miscued shot was poorly cleared, allowing Giroud a first-time shot which was wide from close-in.

France's Theo Hernandez celebrates after scoring the opening first goal.

IMAGE: France's Theo Hernandez celebrates after scoring the opening first goal. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

But Morocco were never overawed and had opportunity as Azzedine Ounahi forced two good saves out of French captain Hugo Lloris with speculative efforts, and curling set-pieces put the French defence under pressure.

The north Africans were hit hard by injuries to their key centre backs with the gamble of naming Nayef Aguerd in the starting line up failing to come off as he hurt his hamstring in the warm-up and skipper Romain Saiss having to go off after 20 minutes.

Morocco's Jawad El Yamiq  attempts an overhead kick

IMAGE: Morocco's Jawad El Yamiq attempts an overhead kick. Photograph: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Replacement centre back Jawad El Yamiq was, however, closest to an equaliser with a spectacular bicycle kick on the stroke of halftime, from a poorly cleared corner by the French, with Lloris getting a vital touch as it hit the base of the upright.

France’s victory set up the tantalising prospect of a decisive clash between Argentina maestro Lionel Messi, at the end of his international career, and France’s Mbappe, emerging as the next superstar of the world game.

France's Kylian Mbappe is challenged by Morocco's Yassine Bounou and Achraf Dari

IMAGE: France's Kylian Mbappe is challenged by Morocco's Yassine Bounou and Achraf Dari. Photograph: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Morocco’s exit was tempered by their achievement of becoming the first African and Arab country to reach the World Cup semi-final, a feat widely celebrated. They can expect to be hailed as heroes when they return home after Saturdays’ third-place playoff against Croatia.

France's Olivier Giroud reacts after a missed chance

IMAGE: France's Olivier Giroud reacts after a missed chance. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

France's Theo Fernandez scores the opening goal

IMAGE: France's Theo Fernandez scores the opening goal. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives for the match

IMAGE: French President Emmanuel Macron arrives for the match. Photograph: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

 

Source: REUTERS
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