FIFA WC 2022 | France vs Morocco | Key moments of the match

With the last spot in the final up for grabs and Argentina being the first finalist after dispatching Croatia by a comfortable margin (3-0), it was France vs. Morocco. Morocco were the surprise entrant and the first African nation to represent their country in the semi-final stage after defeating Belgium, Spain, and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

France, the two-time World Cup champions, were looking for a win in their seventh semi-final. France, who are two-time World Cup winners, were victorious.

France won 2-0, courtesy of goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani.

Some key moments of the game that helped the team win were:

5: France leads 1-0

The deadlock was broken very early in the game. Morocco hadn’t conceded in the whole tournament except for its own goal. France undid that. Antoine Griezmann found space down the right flank, which Moroccan players failed to clear properly, resulting in Hernandez heading it in.

10'

Despite being a goal down early on, Morocco was looking to level the score quickly. France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris sprung into action as the Atlas Lions were inches away from finding an equalizer through Azzedine Ounahi.

13’

Morocco’s simple mistakes in the game gave France an edge. It allowed Griezmann and Dembele to send men forward.

15'

Morocco's Hakim Ziyech had a freekick and an opportunity to send the ball into the box but failed to meet the head of any teammate. The Chelsea winger then sees another opportunity wasted with a weak shot attempt inside the box.

17’

France was close to extending their lead to 2-0. Olivier Giroud finds himself in acres of space as he runs in behind Morocco's defense, but the Milan striker sees his attempt hit the post.

21' SUBSTITUTION

huge blow for Morocco as captain Romain Saiss is unable to continue. Saiss was injured during the quarterfinal against Portugal and gambled on his fitness in the match against France.

30’ 

Things remain 1-0 until a transition attack from the Moroccans, who caught France sleeping, but nothing comes of it as Mazraoui is deemed to be offside.

44’ 

Morocco conceded a corner, and a floating pass led to Jawad El Yamiq, who is a center-back, performing a bicycle kick, which hit the post. Relief for France

45+3

Another corner for the Moroccan, and Ziyech appears to be causing problems for the French, keeping Lloris on his toes. Ziyech was the architect and seemed to come alive in the match.

46’ SUBSTITUTION 

Mazraoui comes off for Attiyat Allah. Can the Atlas Lions end France's unbeaten streak? France never lost a game while leading at halftime.

48’

Mbappe seemed to come alive in the second half. The mercurial forward, with his raw speed, seemed to have caught the Moroccans sleeping as he created chances. He looks hungry.

54'

Morocco is piling on the pressure on the French and came just short of finding an equalizer as France's back line is scrambling. Ibrahima Konate makes a crucial intervention.

65' SUBSTITUTION

France is shaking things up now with a substitution. Giroud makes way for Marcus Thuram.

66' SUBSTITUTION

Now it is Morocco's turn to make some changes. Forward Youssef En-Nesyri comes off having made little impact on the game and is replaced by Abderrazak Hamdallah. Boufal also makes way for Zakaria Aboukhlal.

71'

Another chance for France! Griezmann sends in the free kick, and it finds the head of substitute Thuram, but the forward can't redirect the ball towards goal. It is only France's second attempt this half, which proves Morocco is in control at the moment.

78' SUBSTITUTION

Amallah, who came on as a substitute in the first half, leaves the pitch for Morocco in place of Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.

France's Dembele makes way for Randal Kolo Muani.

79' GOAL: FRANCE LEADS 2-0

Kolo Muani scores his first international goal at the far post 44 seconds after entering the game. The creator of that one was Mbappe, whose stepovers in the box created some open space.

90+4'

One final surging run from Morocco almost sees France's clean sheet gone, but defender Jules Kounde makes a vital interception at the last minute.

The final whistle sees Morocco eliminated. France scored two unlikely goals to help the European giants advance to the final, where they will face Messi's Argentina. France was too much for the African nations, who play Croatia for third place.