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France vs. Morocco highlights: France earns 2nd straight World Cup final berth
The Cinderella story at the 2022 FIFA World Cup came to an end Wednesday, as France eliminated Morocco, 2-0, at Al Bayt Stadium to close out the semifinal round and send France to its second consecutive World Cup final. The French are now the fifth defending champions to reach the World Cup final, joining 1938 Italy, 1962 Brazil, 1990 Argentina, 1998 Brazil.
France is now set to face Argentina in Sunday's championship match (10 a.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app), while Morocco will take on Croatia on Saturday in the third-place game (10 a.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).
France vs. Morocco Highlights | 2022 FIFA World Cup
Congrats to two all-time greats!
Here were the top plays!
5': Goal! Hernández score puts France up 1-0
Theo Hernández connected on a strike from inside the box that gave France the early 1-0 lead. It was only the second goal Morocco has allowed in this World Cup, and the first was an own goal.
France's Theo Hernandez scores goal vs. Morocco in 5'
10': Morocco nearly equalizes
France keeper Hugo Lloris saved a shot just outside the box by Azzedine Ounahi that kept France ahead 1-0.
17': Off the post!
Olivier Giroud hit the left post with a left-footed shot from just outside the box.
24': Morocco fans energized!
36': Giroud just wide!
France had two chances, with Youssouf Fofana missing a chance, and then Giroud shooting just wide inside the box.
39': A great tackle prevents a chance for France
Jawad El Yamiq made a tremendous tackle that prevented a golden opportunity for France inside the box.
44': So close! Nearly the goal of the tournament!
El Yamiq delivered a beautiful strike on a bicycle kick off a bouncing ball, but is denied by the post!
52': Mbappé goes down
Kylian Mbappé gets taken out on a tackle and receives medical attention on the field.
53': Morocco fans feel the momentum changing
65': Sportsmanship still going strong
79': Goal! France goes up 2-0 late
Randal Kolo Muani connected on a pass from inside the box, despite just entering the game just one minute earlier!
France's Randal Kolo Muani scores goal vs. Morocco in 79'
92': Mbappé doing Mbappé things
94': Morocco nearly got its first!
Abderazak Hamdallah's left-footed shot was blocked in front of the net and driven out by France to keep the score at 2-0 in the waning minutes. That score would be the final result of the match.
France can celebrate now!
Game respects game
Morocco fans show their respect
The look ahead
Pregame:
Setting the Stage
Wednesday's match is the sixth overall meeting between France and Morocco, the first to occur at the World Cup. Morocco is hoping this match is different from the past, however, as France is unbeaten in their five previous matchups (3-2-0).
France is the first defending World Cup champion to make the semifinals since Brazil in 1998. With a win, France would be just the fifth defending champ to reach the World Cup final, joining 1938 Italy, 1962 Brazil, 1990 Argentina and 1998 Brazil.
On the other side, Morocco is the first African nation to reach the semifinals at the World Cup, and with a win, it would be the first team outside CONMEBOL and UEFA to reach the World Cup final.
Trip to the final on the line
Friendship can wait
Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi may be teammates at PSG and friends off the field, but today it will come down to them as two of the world's best for their respective countries.
Morocco's wild journey here
Hakimi has arrived
France takes the field
A huge ovation for Morocco as they take the field
Morocco fans are bringing the energy pregame!
The true meaning of jersey colors worldwide
Friend vs. friend for a finals berth
Mbappé checks on fan during warmups
Morocco fans are ready!
Almost time
France and Morocco's walk-outs and National Anthems ahead of semifinals matchup at 2022 FIFA World Cup
Read more from the World Cup:
- How Morocco became the World Cup's Cinderella team
- Kylian Mbappe-Achraf Hakimi showdown could decide France-Morocco
- 10 most important players still in World Cup
- France preaching focus as it nears World Cup repeat, but confidence abounds
- Morocco makes history as first African team to reach World Cup semis
- France looks poised to become only third back-to-back World Cup champion
- World Cup Daily: Semifinals set as France, Morocco advance
- World Cup 2022 odds: Kylian Mbappé favorite to win Golden Boot, Golden Ball
- World Cup 2022 odds: Lines for remaining teams to win in Qatar
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- In the Gio Reyna-Team USA World Cup controversy, there are no winners
- As soccer's popularity grows, so does World Cup tradition with sticking power
- Quick guide to surviving penalty-kick shootouts at World Cup
- Women's World Cup 2023: Five reasons to get excited right now
Check out the full schedule for the World Cup and how to watch each match live here.
