Fifa World Cup 2022: France beat Morocco to face Messi’s Argentina in final
- But despite defeating the Africans 2-0, the defending champions showed flaws at the back that bode ill for their bid to secure back-to-back titles
- In the end, it was the searing pace of the French in attack that ended the Moroccans’ historic World Cup run
France became the first nation to reach consecutive World Cup finals in more than 20 years on Wednesday, as Didier Deschamps’ defending champions squeezed into the Qatar 2022 showpiece with a barely convincing 2-0 win over a crestfallen Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium.
Theo Hernandez’s fifth-minute strike gave France the lead and Randal Kolo Muani’s tap-in 11 minutes from time moved the French into the decider, the first time that any nation has appeared in two finals in a row since Brazil appeared in their third straight World Cup final in 2002.
But Deschamps’ side will need to perform at a higher level than they did against an exuberant and determined Morocco – roared on by many within the 68,294 crowd – when they take on Lionel Messi and Argentina at Lusail Stadium on Sunday if they want to retain the title and become the first nation in 60 years to win back-to-back World Cups.
The Moroccans, despite falling behind to that early Hernandez goal, repeatedly exposed weaknesses in the French defence that the 35-year-old Messi will surely seek out with relish as he aims to finish his illustrious career with the title he covets more than any other.
There were few hints that France would struggle early in the game as Deschamps’ side made the perfect start, with Morocco’s defence punished ruthlessly for a moment of impatience from Jawad El Yamiq, the midfielder attempting to jump in front of Antoine Griezmann to steal possession.