The story of Cinderella FIFA World Cup 2022 ended on Wednesday, as France eliminated Morocco, 2-0, at the Al Bayt Stadium to close the semi-final and send France to their second consecutive World Cup final. The French are now the fifth defending champions to reach the World Cup final, joining Italy in 1938, Brazil in 1962, Argentina in 1990, Brazil in 1998.
France must now face Argentina in Sunday’s league game (10 a.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app), while Morocco will assume Croatia Saturday in the match for third place (10 a.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).
Highlights of France vs Morocco | FIFA World Cup 2022
Congratulations to two all-time greats!
Here are the best games!
5′: Goal! Hernández score puts France 1-0 up
Theo Hernandez connected on a strike from inside the box that gave France the 1-0 lead early on. It was only the second goal Morocco conceded in this World Cup, and the first was an own goal.
Frenchman Theo Hernandez scores a goal against Morocco in 5′
10′: Morocco almost equalizes
french goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saved a shot just outside the box in Azzedine Ounahi who 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′: Moroccan supporters under tension!
36′: Giroud right next door!
France had two chances, with Youssouf Fofana missing a chance, then Giroud firing just wide from inside the box.
39 ‘: A good tackle prevents the opportunity for France
Jawad El Yamik made a formidable tackle which prevented a golden chance for France inside the box.
44′: So close! Almost the goal of the tournament!
El Yamiq delivers a nice bicycle shot on a bouncing ball, but is denied by the post!
52′: Mbappé falls to the ground
Kylian Mbappe gets knocked out on a tackle and receives medical treatment on the pitch.
53′: Moroccan supporters feel the dynamics change
65′: Sportsmanship still on the agenda
79′: Goal! France go up 2-0 behind
Randal Color connected on a pass from inside the area, when he had only come into play a minute earlier!
Frenchman Randal Kolo Muani scores a goal against Morocco in 79′
92′: Mbappé doing Mbappé things
94 ‘: Morocco almost won its first!
At Abderazak Hamdallah left-footed shot was blocked in front of the net and chased away by France to keep the score at 2-0 in the dying minutes. This score would be the final result of the match.
France can party now!
The game respects the game
Moroccan supporters show their respect
Looking forward
Pre-game:
Staging
Wednesday’s match is the sixth overall meeting between France and Morocco, the first to take place at the World Cup. Morocco, however, hope that this match will be different from the past, as France are undefeated in their previous five encounters (3-2-0).
France are the first defending World Cup champions to reach the semi-finals since Brazil in 1998. With a victory, France would be only the fifth defending champions to reach the World Cup final , joining Italy from 1938, Brazil from 1962, Argentina from 1990 and Brazil from 1998.
On the other side, Morocco are the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, and with a win, they would be the first away team. CONMEBOL and UEFA to reach the World Cup final.
Journey to the final on the line
friendship can wait
Kylian Mbappe and Ashraf Hakimi can be teammates PSG and friends off the pitch, but today will come down to them as two of the best in the world for their respective countries.
Morocco’s wild journey here
Hakimi has arrived
France enters the campaign
A huge ovation for Morocco as they enter the pitch
Moroccan supporters bring the pre-match energy!
The truth meaning of jersey colors around the world
Friend against friend for a place in the final
Mbappé checks the fan during warm-up
Morocco fans are ready!
almost time
The walkouts and national anthems of France and Morocco before the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Learn more about the world Cup:
Find out the full World Cup schedule and how to watch every game live here.
Get more from the 2022 FIFA World Cup Follow your favorites for game insights, news and more