France 2-0 Morocco: France reach their second final in a row to break Moroccan hearts
France booked a place in Sunday’s final as they beat Morocco 2-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium. Morocco couldn’t find the moments in which to create history.
They sure as hell gave it a go.
Morocco started the game well but an early Theo Hernandez strike left Morocco with work to do early on.
The Atlas Lions had their moments in the first half as Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi found space in the middle of the park.
In the second half France were happy to let Morocco have more of the ball as they shored up their midfield, allowing the Moroccan midfielders little space in which to work in.
On 65 minutes Didier Deschamps made a change which would prove pivotal. He brought off Olivier Giroud who was replaced by Marcus Thuram.
This brought a lot of French success down the left had side, which was an area they exploited for the second goal.
France will now go on to play Argentina in Sunday’s final.
First Half
Morocco were hit with an early blow as Nayef Aguerd was named on the teamsheet but failed to make it onto the pitch.
France struck early within 4 minutes. Raphael Varane picked out Antoine Griezmann who squared it to Kylian Mbappe. His shot was blocked but fell straight to Hernandez who waited until the ball dropped to volley past Bono, 1-0 France.
Morocco responded well in the 9th minute. Azzedine Ounahi picked up the ball on the left half space and curled a long shot aiming for the far corner. Hugo Lloris got across to save low to his left.
In the 16th minute, Konate delivered a long ball over Saiss’ head into the path of Olivier Giroud. He bore down on goal only to strike the outside of the post.
In the 35th minute, Tchouameni broke up the play in the middle of the pitch and slipped in Mbappe. He drove past Achraf Hakimi to shoot but Jawad El Yamiq cleared off the line.
Soon after, Griezmann took an in-swinging corner to find Varane at the near post who flicked it just wide.
Just before half-time, Hakim Zyiech took an in-swinging corner which was cleared straight to El Yamiq who hit an acrobatic effort goalwards. Lloris just tipped the shot onto the post.
Second Half
Half-time brought about one change as Noussair Mazraoui was substituted for Yahya Attiat-Allah.
France went close again in the 70th minute as Griezmann dinked in a free-kick in the direction of substitute Marcus Thuram. His header, however, went wide of the post.
Morocco then had a golden chance to equalise as Abderrazak Hamdallah dribbled past a couple of defenders but he couldn’t get the shot off as Varane stuck out a toe to clear.
As the teams headed into the final stages of the match France all but secured a place in the final. Mbappe picked up the ball just inside the box to dribble past a couple of players to shoot.
His shot was deflected but fell straight into the path of Randal Kolo Muani who tapped the ball into an empty net seconds after coming on for Ousmane Dembele.
Morocco nearly grabbed a consolation at the end. Ounahi had his shot blocked and the rebound fell into the path of Hamdallah. His effort was somehow cleared off the line by Jules Kounde.
The final whistle then blew. Jubilation in the French camp was met with devastation from Morocco.
