December 14, 2022 France vs Morocco and other World Cup news

Paris Saint Germain teammates Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are set for a showdown as France and Argentina will face each other on Sunday in the World Cup 2022 final.

The French defeated a plucky Moroccan team 2-1 in Wednesday's semifinal.

The two stars also are in contention for this year's Golden Boot — the award for the player who scores the most goals in the tournament. Both have scored five goals so far.

Right behind them are France's Olivier Giroud and Argentina's Julián Álvarez, who have four goals in the tournament.

However, while Messi dazzled his way into the final with a goal and an assist in the semifinal against Croatia, Mbappé did not display the same striker magic during the match against Morocco.

For most of the match, it felt like this semifinal was being played in Rabat or Casablanca rather than Al Khor, such was the support for Morocco.

Moroccan players were cheered like heroes every time they touched the ball, while their French counterparts were booed and whistled.

Morocco came close to scoring on several occasions but bowed out of the semifinal without a goal.

The Moroccans will face Croatia in the third-place match Saturday.

Randal Kolo Muani taps one home to give the defending champs a 2-0 lead in the 79th minute.

France 2-0 Morocco

France almost executed its game plan to perfection at the start of this second half. 

Morocco looked dangerous going forward but its attack broke down and Kylian Mbappé’s eyes lit up. 

The forward got hold of the ball in his own half and demonstrated his frightening speed down the wing, beating three players before being stopped by a crunching tackle from Sofyan Amrabat.

The challenge whipped the Moroccan fans into a frenzy as they watched their team increase the pressure on France’s defense. 

The reigning champion had looked content to soak up Morocco's pressure in the first half but could it be underestimating the opponent here? 

The African nation has had almost all of the ball in the second half and looks to be getting closer. 

Morocco didn’t panic after going behind and grew in confidence during that first half.

Some slick play going forward tested France’s defense at times but Morocco wasn’t able to fashion a real opportunity from open play. 

It seems set-pieces are the way forward for the Atlas Lions after a few dangerous deliveries from Hakim Ziyech gave his side some encouragement before the break. 

France, meanwhile, looked content sitting back, waiting for mistakes and picking its moments to attack. 

The tactic gave space for Kylian Mbappé to explode into action on a couple of occasions and he created a chance to double France’s lead after running behind Paris Saint-Germain teammate Achraf Hakimi, only for Olivier Giroud to squander the opportunity. 

It would be safe to expect much of the same in the second half with Morocco likely to commit more men forward in search of an equalizer. 

You can’t have any regrets in a World Cup semifinal so this promises to be an explosive second half.

Morocco may have conceded a goal early in the first half, and skipper Romain Saïss has been subbed out, but the Atlas Lions have not been intimidated.

But can they bounce back in the next 45 minutes? Morocco has been the surprise team of this World Cup, so another one cannot be ruled out.

The second half is underway at Al Bayt Stadium with a showdown Sunday against Argentina to play for.

It was a dream start to the World Cup semis for the defending champions from France.

In the 5th minute, Théo Hernández found the back of the net when a deflected shot by Kylian Mbappé fell to the French defender.

The Hernández goal is the first against the North African team at World Cup 2022 that wasn't an own goal — and the first time it has trailed in the tournament.

Fifteen minutes later, Moroccan captain, Romain Saïss, was substituted due to injury. Both sides are dealing with personnel issues. It was reported during the broadcast that French midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who has been a staple in the French starting 11 during the World Cup, is sick in bed.

Morocco got the last big chance of the half. In the 45th minute, Jawad El Yamiq attempted a bicycle kick off a corner that fell to him inside the 18-yard box. The shot beat France's goaltender Hugo Lloris but connected with the post.

Can the Atlas Lions find a way back into the match in the second half? Even though they lead, France has failed to deliver a shutout in its last six matches.

Already facing a 1-0 deficit, Morocco has been dealt another early blow as captain Romain Saïss is substituted due to injury.

The Moroccan central defender was replaced by Selim Amallah.

France 1-0 Morocco

The game had barely settled down before France took the lead and now the African nation needs a miracle. 

Morocco coach Walid Regragui would have told his side to keep things tight for at least the first half — but it now finds itself chasing the match, a dangerous position to be in against a team of France’s quality. 

The longer France stays ahead, the more tempting it will be for Morocco to take risks going forward which will inevitably leave more space for the likes of Kylian Mbappé to punish it on the break.

Strange things have happened at Qatar 2022 but a Morocco comeback now would surely be the strangest of them all.  

The underdog certainly hasn't given up though.

That was fast! France scored a goal against Morocco in the fifth minute of the game.

A deflection on a Kylian Mbappé attempt inside the box fell to Théo Hernández at the back post.

Hernandez took the ball on the half-volley and smashed it past goaltender Bono.

It is a gutting start to the match for Morocco. It's also the first goal against the North African team at World Cup 2022 that wasn't an own goal — and the first time it has trailed in the tournament.

France 1-0 Morocco