France edged past a valiant Morocco side to secure a 2-0 win and book their place in the 2022 Qatar World Cup final.
Didier Deschamps has become just the fourth manager ever to lead a nation to back-to-back World Cup finals as his France squad overcame an impressive Morocco side to win 2-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium.
France were somewhat aided by the fact that the Atlas Lions had been decimated by injuries, with Romain Saiss being forced off the pitch early in the first half. The French were already 1-0 up by that point, thanks to a lighting quick goal by Theo Hernandez in the fifth minute, and it looked as though they were going to ease to a comfortable victory.
Against the odds, Morocco made their mark on the game, and despite not scoring, had several chances to get back themselves back in it. The pick of the bunch was an incredible acrobatic effort from Jawad El Yamiq which was excellently saved by Hugo Lloris. However, Randal Kolo Muani’s goal in the 79th minute was enough to clinch victory for the 2018 champions.
Read More: Former Liverpool legend favourite to get the England job..
2 – Didier Deschamps is the fourth manager to lead a nation to back-to-back World Cup finals, after Vittorio Pozzo with Italy (1934, 1938), Carlos Bilardo with Argentina (1986, 1990), and Franz Beckenbauer with Germany (1986, 1990). Midas. pic.twitter.com/eauFEetYM4
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 14, 2022
Morocco will no doubt be hugely disappointed with their exit but should be immensely proud of their World Cup campaign in Qatar, which has seen them dump both Spain and Portugal out of the competition, as well as make history as they became the first-ever African nation to reach the semi-final of a World Cup.
For France, they must now regain their focus and prepare as Argentina await them in a winner takes all showdown on Sunday, 18 December in the 2022 World Cup final.