France vs. Morocco: France will face Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final after surviving an assault from Morocco in the semifinals.
With goals from Theo Hernandez and substitute Randal Kolo Muani in each half, the defending champions became the first team to reach consecutive World Cup finals since Brazil in 2002.
If Morocco, aiming to make even more history for African football, had any hopes of reaching the final, Hernandez’s early goal for France was the worst possible start.
Jawad El Yamiq foolishly attempted to steal the ball from Antoine Griezmann. However, his error allowed the French to score, with Hernandez converting from an unusual angle after Kylian Mbappe’s original shot was blocked – the first goal Morocco had surrendered since arriving in Qatar.
It marked uncharted terrain but did nothing to shake them up. It wasn’t long until only a mighty left hand from Hugo Lloris prevented breakthrough sensation Azzedine Ounahi from scoring an equalizer.
As given another opportunity, Hakim Ziyech lacked confidence in his weaker right foot. However, Morocco was rescued from falling further down when Olivier Giroud smashed a thunderous shot against the outside of the post — the 36-year-old surged past a hobbled Romain Saiss.
Saiss didn’t last long, as Morocco swiftly returned to the 4-3-3 shape that had suited them so well in previous rounds after beginning in a 5-4-1 formation.
France vs. Morocco: Morocco improved as the first half went on, but France still seemed capable of scoring at any time. El Yamiq was forced to deflect a shot from Mbappe close to the goal line, while Giroud squandered a golden opportunity that followed.
El Yamiq seemed driven to make up for his early error and almost scored one of the most critical goals ever with a magnificent overhead kick at a corner that grazed Lloris’s hands before hitting the base of the post in the last seconds before halftime.
Morocco similarly opened the first and second halves, launching wave after wave of attempts toward the French goal without creating many good scoring opportunities. Les Bleus remained resolute as Lloris, and the central defenders in front of him continued to resist everything that entered the area.
The Atlas Lions eventually regretted not capitalizing on their pressure, particularly when replacement Abderrazak Hamdallah jinked his way through but critically hesitated when the opportunity to shoot presented itself and missed the shot.
Soon after, Kolo Muani rendered France unreachable with a decisive strike. Mbappe, who wasn’t blazingly fast overall, was involved again as he defeated several Morocco defenders. As with the previous goal, his deflected shot created the chance, which was converted by the substitute.
Morocco believed they had a chance for a consolation goal in stoppage time via Hamdallah, but Jules Kunde was there to clear the ball off the goal line.
France player Ratings (4-2-3-1):France vs. Morocco
GK: Hugo Lloris – 8/10 -It was necessary to make a lot of saves, including many excellent ones, which established the groundwork for this victory.
RB: Jules Kounde – 7/10 – Not much of an offensive threat from the fullback position, but defended when necessary. They cleared one off the line during the stoppage of play.
CB: Raphael Varane – 6/10 – Effectively distributed the ball from the back.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – 7/10 – Substituted for Dayot Upamecano and performed well by consistently intercepting and clearing the ball.
LB: Theo Hernandez-7/10-His goal was an incredible work of improvisation in which he got his foot on the ball and turned it from the height it was at.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 7/10 – He made most of his passes correctly and showed discipline in the center of the field.
Youssouf Fofana could not capitalize on an excellent opportunity to make the score 2-0 and comfortable before it was. In the buildup to the second French goal, he missed the target with another decent opportunity but moved the ball nicely forward.
RM: Ousmane Dembele – 6/10 – Given that he’s had a good tournament, he’s been relatively silent.
AM: Antoine Griezmann-9/10 – From the ‘number 10’ position, he drew inventive threads, including the opportunity that led to France’s first goal. DIdn’t overlook defensive discipline, either.
LM: Kylian Mbappe-8/10 his speed made him a danger. In the play that led to France’s decisive second goal, he seemed poised to defeat the whole Morocco defense.
ST: Olivier Giroud-7/10 In the first half alone, he hit the outside of the post and missed the goal from a terrific position.
Manager: Didier Deschamps – 8/10 – Defense and midfield were altered from the quarterfinal victory against England. The team’s discipline and ruthlessness have propelled them to another World Cup final.
Morocco player Ratings (5-4-1): France vs. Morocco
GK: Bono – 5/10 – Little ability to prevent either goal.
RB: Achraf Hakimi-7/10-Began to connect effectively with Ziyech as Morocco gained momentum just before halftime.
CB: Achraf Dari – 7/10 – Drafted as a substitute for Nayef Aguero in the last minute.
Romain Saiss (c) – Not Applicable – Appeared to be struggling before the start of the game and barely lasted 21 minutes.
CB: Jawad El Yamiq – 7/10 – Night of roller coasters The error that provided France the chance to break the tie only minutes into the match. Later produced several crucial blocks and tackles, as well as a fantastic bicycle kick to the goalpost.
LB: Noussair Mazraoui – 5/10 – Another player who entered this contest as a question mark, not himself. After a relatively quiet first half, they did not return for the second period.
RM: Hakim Ziyech-7/10 – Insufficiently exploited the space on the right in the early half but became more engaged as the game continued.
CM: Sofyan Amrabat – 7/10 – Monitored the midfield as he has throughout the competition.
CM: Azzedine Ounahi-8/10-Forced a superb save out of Lloris shortly after France scored the game’s opening goal and was constantly trying to get his team going.
LM: Sofiane Boufal, 7 /10. It seemed to be a viable source but was removed unexpectedly early. The fact that he was holding a yellow card might have played a role.
5/10 for Youssef En-Nesyri. Morocco preferred to attack mostly down the sides. Thus, he saw very little of the ball in a disappointing effort.
Manager: Walid Regragui-8/10 – It was an emotional choice to attempt to start both Nayef Aguero, who was removed just before kickoff, and Romain Saiss, who was pulled just before kickoff. Morocco improved after returning to its customary formation, and the substitutions had a favorable effect. What may have been on a different day…
Antoine Griezmann was the match’s MVP (France)
