Caitlin Dillon
A clinical France side broke hearts all across the region as they downed Morocco 2-0 to seal a date with Argentina in the final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Despite an exceptional performance from the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final, goals from Theo Hernández and Randal Kolo Muani were enough for France to seal an opportunity to defend their crown.
Morocco’s spirits were dampened going into the match, as they lost Nayef Aguerd to injury after he was named in the starting 11. To add insult to injury, they went behind within five minutes thanks to an acrobatic goal from Theo Hernandez.
The Atlas Lions also lost Romain Saïss to injury before half-time, with the defender having been stretchered off with a hamstring injury in their quarter-final against Portugal. But, spurred on by their spirited supporters, they came close to an equaliser when Jawad El Yamiq's overhead kick hit the post just before the break.
However, France showed their World Champion status once again, when substitute Kolo Muani cemented their win, tapping home at the back post with his first touch - just seconds after coming on for Ousmane Dembélé.
France will take on Argentina in Sunday’s final at 6pm at Al Bayt Stadium, where they will hope to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their crown. Meanwhile Morocco’s World Cup fairytale continues on Saturday evening when they will fight Croatia for a place on the podium in the third place match at Khalifa International Stadium at 6pm.