France edge past Morocco to set up Argentina final

2 years ago 30

ARTICLE AD BOX

By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Al Bayt Stadium

Last updated on 4 minutes ago.From the section World Cup

France were pushed all the way by World Cup wild cards Morocco before the holders sealed a place in Sunday's final against Argentina.

The first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final refused to buckle despite suffering the early blows of losing key defender Nayef Aguerd to injury after he was named in the starting line-up, and then going behind to Theo Hernandez's scrambled fifth minute goal.

France, for all Morocco's endeavour and spirit, were more clinical and substitute Kolo Muani ensured they will defend their crown against Argentina and Lionel Messi at Lusail Stadium on Sunday when he turned in Kylian Mbappe's deflected shot 11 minutes from time.

Morocco also lost the clearly unfit Romain Saiss to injury before half-time but, roared on by their fanatical support, they came close to drawing level, especially when Jawad El Yamiq's overhead kick was kept out by a combination of the post and France keeper Hugo Lloris.

France, with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate outstanding, kept their composure in the hothouse atmosphere of Al Bayt Stadium and had chances of their own, Olivier Giroud striking the post in the first half.

Didier Deschamps' side always threatened on the break and so it proved as the lurking Muani finally broke Morocco's resistance late on.

More follows

How to play

Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection

France

Squad number1Player nameLloris
Squad number5Player nameKoundé
Squad number4Player nameVarane
Squad number24Player nameKonaté
Squad number22Player nameHernández
Squad number8Player nameTchouaméni
Squad number13Player nameFofana
Squad number11Player nameDembélé
Squad number7Player nameGriezmann
Squad number10Player nameMbappé
Squad number9Player nameGiroud

Squad number12Player nameKolo Muani
Squad number26Player nameThuram

Morocco

Squad number1Player nameBono
Squad number2Player nameHakimi
Squad number20Player nameDari
Squad number6Player nameSaïss
Squad number18Player nameEl Yamiq
Squad number3Player nameMazraoui
Squad number7Player nameZiyech
Squad number8Player nameOunahi
Squad number4Player nameS Amrabat
Squad number17Player nameBoufal
Squad number19Player nameEn-Nesyri

Squad number9Player nameHamdallah
Squad number14Player nameAboukhlal
Squad number15Player nameAmallah
Squad number16Player nameEzzalzouli
Squad number25Player nameAttiat-Allah

Line-ups

France

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Lloris
5Koundé
4Varane
24Konaté
22Hernández
8Tchouaméni
13Fofana
11DembéléSubstituted forKolo Muaniat 79'minutes
7Griezmann
10Mbappé
9GiroudSubstituted forThuramat 65'minutes

Substitutes

2Pavard
3Disasi
6Guendouzi
12Kolo Muani
15Veretout
16Mandanda
17Saliba
18Upamecano
20Coman
23Aréola
25Camavinga
26Thuram

Morocco

Formation 5-4-1

1Bono
2Hakimi
20Dari
6SaïssSubstituted forAmallahat 21'minutesSubstituted forEzzalzouliat 78'minutes
18El Yamiq
3MazraouiSubstituted forAttiat-Allahat 45'minutes
7Ziyech
8Ounahi
4S Amrabat
17BoufalBooked at 27minsSubstituted forAboukhlalat 67'minutes
19En-NesyriSubstituted forHamdallahat 66'minutes

Substitutes

9Hamdallah
10Zaroury
11Sabiri
12Mohamedi
13Chair
14Aboukhlal
15Amallah
16Ezzalzouli
22Tagnaouti
23El Khannouss
24Benoun
25Attiat-Allah
26Jabrane

Referee:César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos

Attendance:68,294

Live Text

Match ends, France 2, Morocco 0.
Second Half ends, France 2, Morocco 0.
Hand ball by Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco).
Offside, Morocco. Hakim Ziyech tries a through ball, but Zakaria Aboukhlal is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Abderrazak Hamdallah (Morocco) left footed shot from very close range is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.
Attempt blocked. Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Corner, Morocco. Conceded by Youssouf Fofana.
Attempt blocked. Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Morocco) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Offside, Morocco. Azzedine Ounahi tries a through ball, but Zakaria Aboukhlal is caught offside.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Marcus Thuram (France).
Attempt missed. Zakaria Aboukhlal (Morocco) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Yahya Attiat-Allah with a cross.
Abderrazak Hamdallah (Morocco) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Ibrahima Konaté (France).
Foul by Yahya Attiat-Allah (Morocco).
Antoine Griezmann (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal! France 2, Morocco 0. Randal Kolo Muani (France) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner.
Attempt blocked. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Marcus Thuram.