by The fairy tale of Cinderella al FIFA World Cup 2022 ended Wednesday, as France eliminated Morocco, 2-0, at Al Bayt Stadium to close out the semi-final and send France to its second consecutive World Cup final. The French are now the fifth defending champions to reach the World Cup final, joining 1938 Italy, 1962 Brazil, 1990 Argentina and 1998 Brazil.
France is now ready to face Argentina in Sunday’s championship game (10am ET on FOX and the FOX Sports App), while Morocco will take over Croatia Saturday in the match for the third place (10am ET on FOX and the FOX Sports App).
Highlights of France vs Morocco | FIFA World Cup 2022
Congratulations to two all-time greats!
Here are the best plays!
France 2, Morocco 0
5′: Goal! Hernández’s goal put France up 1-0
Theo Hernández scored from a strike from inside the box to give France an early 1-0 lead. It was only the second goal Morocco had conceded at this World Cup, and the first was an own goal.
France’s Theo Hernandez scores against Morocco in the 5′
France’s Theo Hernandez scores the opening goal against Morocco in the 5th minute of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
10′: Morocco nearly equalised
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saved a shot from just outside the box by Azzedine Ounahi to put France ahead 1-0.
17′: Off the post!
Olivier Giroud hits the left post with a left footed shot from outside the box.
24′: Moroccan fans still fired up!
36′: Giroud just wide!
France had two chances, with Youssouf Fofana missing a chance, and then Giroud shot just wide inside the box.
39′: A nice tackle prevents France from having a chance
Jawad El Yamiq made a stunning tackle which prevented a golden opportunity for France inside the box.
44′: So close! Almost the goal of the tournament!
Jawad El Yamiq had a great shot from a bicycle kick off a bouncing ball, but it was denied by the post!
52′: Mbappé goes down
Kylian Mbappé was eliminated for a tackle and received medical treatment on the pitch.
53′: Moroccan fans feel the momentum change
65′: Sportsmanship is still going strong
79′: Goal! France goes up 2-0 late
Randal Kolo Muani connected on a pass from inside the area, despite having just entered the game just a minute earlier!
Randal Kolo Muani of France scores a goal against Morocco in the 79th minute
Randal Kolo Muani of France connects with his first touch in the match to score a goal against Morocco in the 79th minute of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
92′: Mbappé does things like Mbappé
94′: Morocco almost got their first!
Abderrazak Hamdallah’s left foot was blocked in front of the net and cleared by France who kept the score 2-0 in the closing minutes. That score would be the final result of the match.
France can celebrate now!
The game respects the game
Morocco fans show their respect
The look ahead
Pre-game:
Laying the groundwork
Wednesday is the sixth meeting between France and Morocco, the first played at the World Cup. Morocco are hoping this match will be different from the past, however, as France are unbeaten in their previous five meetings (3-2-0).
France are the first reigning World Cup champions to reach the semi-finals since Brazil in 1998. With a win, France would be only the fifth defending champions to reach the World Cup final, joining Italy in 1938, to Brazil 1962, Argentina 1990 and Brazil 1998.
On the other hand, Morocco are the first African nation to reach the semi-finals at a World Cup, and with a win, they would be the first team outside CONMEBOL and UEFA to reach the World Cup final.
Journey to the final on the line
Friendship can wait
Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi may be teammates at PSG and friends off the pitch, but today they will be regarded as two of the best in the world for their respective countries.
Morocco’s wild journey here
Hakimi has arrived
France takes the field
Great ovation for Morocco who take the field
Morocco fans are bringing the energy before the match!
The true meaning of jersey colors around the world
Friend against friend for a final place
Mbappé checks on the fan during the warm-up
Morocco fans are ready!
Almost now
The releases and national anthems of France and Morocco ahead of the semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Stay tuned for updates!
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