Defending champions France prevailed over a determined Morocco in the second semifinal of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to set up a final clash against Argentina on December 18.
Morocco were the better team for most of the match, but France made better use of the chances that fell their way, to win the match 2-0. Left-back Theo Hernandez scored in the fifth minute and substitute striker Randal Kolo Mulani extended his team's lead in the 79th minute, to end the Moroccan dream run in the 2022 World Cup.
Morocco started brightly and dominated possession for the first five minutes. But, the first time France were able to get hold of the ball, they scored. Centre-back Raphael Varane played a brilliant through ball that found Antoine Griezmann just outside Morocco's box. He played a low cross to Kylian Mbappe, who had two shots blocked. But, the ball fell to the unmarked French left-back Theo Hernandez, who finished acrobatically to score the first goal by an opposition player against Morocco in this World Cup. It was also the earliest goal in a World Cup semifinal since 1958.
Morocco rallied and in the 10th minute midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, who has been one of breakout stars of the tournament, tested French captain Hugo Lloris in goal with a curling and dipping effort from the edge of the box. The Africans got another chance in the 16th minute, but Hakim Ziyech could not make good contact.
France responded immediately. A long ball found Olivier Giroud, whose ferocious shot hit the post. Moroccan captain Romain Saiss was clearly struggling with injury and was subbed off in the 21st minute. Midfielder Selim Amallah came on, indicating a formation change.
Morocco were composed in possession for the rest of the half, mindful not to overcommit to the attack. The methodical approach led to some good attacking positions and Morocco were able to ask questions of the French defence. But, the Varane-led defence had the answers. France were happy to sit back and continue to try to hit on the counterattack. The tactic nearly paid off in the 36th minute as Morocco lost possession in midfield and a marauding Aurelien Tchouameni played Mbappe through. His effort rebounded to Giroud, whose shot was not far off.
France once again worked an opening in the 39th minute and it required a well-timed tackle by Jawad El Yamiq to deny Griezmann the chance to pick out a teammate from inside the box.
A dangerous corner by Ziyech saw the ball fall to El Yamiq in the French box. The centre-back produced a bicycle kick that rebounded off the post after Lloris managed to get a faint touch. Had his teammates been more alert to the rebound, Morocco could have found an equaliser.
There was another dangerous corner in first-half stoppage time. Lloris looked shaky in his attempt to collect, but eventually held on. Morocco were probing more and more and finished the half strongly. There was time for two more brilliant deliveries by Ziyech, but France just about survived. Morocco finished the half with 49 per cent of the possession.
At the start of the second half, Morocco took off Noussair Mazraoui, who was returning from injury, for Yahya Attiat-Allah. Though France were happy to give up possession again, Mbappe came into the game more and produced some electrifying runs, though Morocco defended well. The Africans then went up the other end and created a couple of great chances. The French centre-backs Varane and Ibrahima Konate distinguished themselves to deny two tap-ins for Morocco in quick succession around the 53rd minute.
The Morocco chances were coming thick and fast now and another opportunity was thwarted by an alert Griezmann. Mbappe seemed to be the only outlet for France to relieve the incessant pressure on its defence. Seemingly, in an attempt to inject more pace upfront and support Mbappe, Didier Deschamps brought on Marcus Thuram for Giroud. Thuram played on the left with Mbappe going to the middle. That seemed to do the trick as France worked an opportunity for Mbappe to shoot, only for the shot to be heroically blocked by a Moroccan player.
Morocco had a golden chance to equalise in the 76th minute as substitute striker Abderrazak Hamdallah got through on goal. He had multiple chances to shoot, but was indecisive and the chance went begging. Morocco were punished soon after as French substitute Randal Kolo Mulani tapped in to an open net after a deflected shot by Mbappe fell kindly to him; the French superstar had created the opening for the initial shot with some great footwork.
Morocco continued to push, but seemed less dangerous than they had been before the second French goal. France were mostly comfortable in the closing minutes, as their big game experience showed. A great chance for Morocco in second half stoppage time was neutralised by last-ditch defending by Jules Kounde. Ultimately, the higher quality of players that France had proved decisive.