France beat Morocco 2-0 to face Argentina in the World Cup final

Al Khor: France sets up a World Cup final clash with Argentina after beating Morocco 2-0 in their semi-final match at Al Bayt Stadium on Thursday. 

Theo Hernandez's left footed shot from the left side of the six-yard box hit the bottom left corner, giving the 2018 champions a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute of the match. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani increased the lead for France in the 79th minute seconds after he replaced Dembele in the attack. 

It will be France's fourth World Cup final in seven editions and they are hoping to become the first team since Brazil 60 years ago to retain the trophy when they take on Argentina at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.

That will be billed as a showdown between Messi and his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe, but this match was not about the latter's individual brilliance. Instead France's victory was down to a team effort against a Moroccan side who will now face Croatia in Saturday's third-place play-off.

Despite creating several chances and dominating possession, the Atlas Lions' lack of firepower upfront denied them the goals.

Morocco started the first half looking to stop France from finding any space in the middle of the park. However, France took the lead in the 5th minute from a brilliant through ball by Raphael Varane from deep to open up the Moroccan defence. Antoine Griezmann received the ball and sent a dangerous pass into the box. Kylian Mbappe’s shot from near the penalty box was blocked and fell for Theo Hernandez to score the opener.

Morocco responded quickly and nearly found an opener in the 10th minute through a well-connected shot from Azzedine Ounahi. However, Hugo Lloris was quick to respond to the threat by stretching to his left and pushing the ball away from the goal. 

In the 17th minute, France nearly doubled the lead through Oliver Giroud. However, his strike after receiving a long ball from the back smacked against the post and went out for a goal kick.

Morocco saw more of the ball in the later stages of the half, but France took every opportunity to punish them with quick counter-attacks. 

In the 35th minute, Mbappe nearly scored his fifth goal in the tournament after making a quick run through the right after receiving a ball from Tchuouameni. However, his effort on goal gets cleared by Achraf Hakimi. However, Hernandez gathered the clearance and passed it to Giroud, who only managed to place the strike over the top. 

Morocco nearly equalised in the 45th minute after Jawad El Yamiq attempted a sensational bicycle kick from the edge of the box. However, Lloris saw the danger and pushed the ball away for safety. 

Any plan Morocco had on defending against the attacking trio of France failed to come to fruition in the first half. 

The second half started with France managing to unleash Mbappe through the right. Griezmann and Tchouaméni played wonderful balls to break through the Moroccan defence. 

Morocco wasted a number of golden opportunities to equalise against France but failed in the final third. Thuram, who came on for Giroud, missed a golden chance to increase the lead in the 74th minute after playing a one-two down the left flank. However, his strike at goal only went wide. 

Randal Kolo Muani found the second goal after he came on as a replacement for Dembele in the 79th minute. Mbappe remarkably dribbles past a clutter of legs in the Moroccon box and gets a shot away. However, the deflected shot fell to Kolo Muani, who tapped in from close range to score his first international goal.