France vs Morocco 2-0: World Cup 2022 – as it happened
Live updates from the World Cup 2022 semifinal between France and Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the World Cup 2022 match between France and Morocco on Wednesday, December 14.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the World Cup 2022 match between France and Morocco on Wednesday, December 14.
- France XI: Lloris, Kounde, Varane, Konate, Hernandez, Griezmann, Tchouameni, Fofana, Dembele (Kolo Muani, 79′), Giroud (Thuram, 66′), Mbappe.
- Morocco XI: Bounou, El Yamiq, Saiss (Amallah, 21′, Ezzalzouli, 78′), Dari, Hakimi, Amrabat, Ounahi, Mazraoui (Attia-Allah, 46′), Ziyech, En-Nesyri (Hamdallah, 66′), Boufal (Aboukhlal, 67′).
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
That’s all from us today
So there you have it. Morocco’s incredible run in this World Cup comes to an end and France cruise into Sunday’s final where they’ll face Argentina.
A reminder that Morocco still have the third-place game to play against Croatia on Saturday.
To relive the action from today, check out our match report.
Griezmann was sensational, again
Antoine Griezmann’s re-invention as a playmaker has been a revelation for France. His sharp movements create space for others to run into and also ensure he’s always available to receive the ball.
France’s player of the tournament, without question.
Outstanding Amrabat
Sofyan Amrabat plies his trade at Fiorentina in Italy’s Serie A. Given his impressive showing at this World Cup, it’s very possible he will become a transfer target for other clubs.
51 – Sofyan Amrabat recovered possession of the ball 51 times during the 2022 World Cup, the most of any player on record at a single edition for an African nation (1966 onwards). Hustle. pic.twitter.com/XYJXTqrM5l
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 14, 2022
Brothers in arms
Mbappé and Hakimi swapped jerseys after battling in the semifinals 🙏 @brfootball pic.twitter.com/sqdbHuUoza
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2022
‘Amazing achievement,’ says Morocco fan
Despite the loss, Yassine Azami, 35, said he doesn’t feel sadness but a sense of “pride” his country made it so far in the world’s most prestigious tournament.
“We made history. The players have made us so proud of our country … we can never thank them enough,” the 35-year-old Tangier resident said.
Azami, who is a chartered accountant, said the players and the coach will be welcomed with “open arms” back in Morocco for this “amazing achievement”.
Worthy finalists
The thing with France is, they have rarely stepped out of second gear in this World Cup. Barring certain periods – as we saw today and in the quarterfinal against England – they’ve rarely had to dig deep in games. Despite being wrecked by injuries, they’ve continued to march on.
Take, for example, Youseff Fofana today – he came into the XI to replace the unwell Adrien Rabiot who himself had found a place in the XI owing to injuries to N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba. The transition in each of these cases has been seamless.
A team, in every sense of the word.
‘Not the best team’ today: Morocco supporter
There is calm here outside Al Bayt Stadium as the Atlas Lions fans leave in droves, looking dejected after their dreams of a World Cup final were dashed.
“We were not the best team today. Congratulations to France,” Rahim Behraoui told Al Jazeera.
“The French were better than us in all areas … but no one can tell us we are not good enough to reach this stage. We showed with Spain, Portugal how good we are,” the 46-year-old, who is from Fez but lives in Dubai, said.
“Inshallah we will win this … if not in four years then maybe eight.”
What a journey Morocco have been on
Loved watching Morocco tonight. Loved their defiance and their hunger and their sheer will. Ziyech and Hakimi were brilliant on the right. The narrative driving this World Cup has centred around Messi but in many ways Morocco has been its most positive story.
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) December 14, 2022
Morocco should keep their heads high
The 2-0 scoreline belies their performance and how close this game was.
Morocco responded well to the early goal and had France on the ropes in the early part of the second half. They were competitive and didn’t shy away from playing their game against the defending champions.
Messi vs Mbappe
France have made it to their second successive final, where Lionel Messi and Argentina await them.
They are one win away from becoming the first team since 1962’s Brazil to win back-to-back World Cups.
Full time
France are through to the final.
Full time: France 2-0 Morocco
Cleared off the line
Morocco almost have a goal here. Ounahi’s shot hits Hamdallah and is cleared off the line by Kounde.
Morocco are going out with a flourish.
95 mins: France 2-0 Morocco
Mbappe is still going
He nutmegs Amrabat and tries to power his way through the Morocco defence but is tackled. Where does he get his energy from?
92 mins: France 2-0 Morocco
Six minutes of injury time
The final is within touching distance now for France.
90 mins: France 2-0 Morocco
France coasting here
They can afford to take their pedal off the gas. Morocco, too, look half-hearted in their efforts now.
88 mins: France 2-0 Morocco
Update from inside the stadium
And with that second goal, we see Morocco fans start leaving the stadium.
With fewer than 10 minutes to go, many feel the game is most likely over. Nevertheless, the cheering from Atlas Lions supporters continues, albeit much more subdued.
Morocco look beaten
That second goal has taken the wind out of Morocco’s sails. It’ll take a miracle for them to come back from two goals down. France are beginning to look comfortable here.
83 mins: France 2-0 Morocco
GOAL!
Kolo Muani scores for France!
Mbappe remarkably weaves his way past a clutter of legs in the box and gets a shot away, but it’s blocked. The deflection falls to Kolo Muani, who taps in from close range. It was his first touch of the game.
79 mins: France 2-0 Morocco
Changes for both sides
For Morocco, Amallah is off. Abde Ezzalzouli is on in his place.
For France, Dembele is off, and Randal Kolo Muani is on.
78 mins: France 1-0 Morocco
Final 15 minutes
Time is running out for Morocco.
75 mins: France 1-0 Morocco
Mounting concern among Morocco supporters
The booming noise and chants in the stadium are masking the concern growing on the faces of the Atlas Lions fans.
Some are mumbling prayers under their breath while others have half their faces tightly covered with their Morocco flags, looking nervous as the clock winds down, with fewer than 20 minutes left.
Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s tackling machine
Achraf Hakimi has won more tackles than any other player at the 2022 World Cup:
🥇 Achraf Hakimi – 16
🥈 Jude Bellingham – 15
🥉 Mateo Kovacic – 14Putting in the work. 💥 pic.twitter.com/OdTp7eJOTg
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 14, 2022
Mbappe playing down the middle
Marcus Thuram has taken his place down the left and the Borussia Mönchengladbach has looked bright since coming on. His directness is creating problems for Morocco.
70 mins: France 1-0 Morocco
Morocco still enjoying most of the ball
With 65 minutes played, Morocco continue to enjoy most of the possession, defying all pre-match expectations of how the clash against the defending world champions would pan out.
But France still hold their 1-0 lead despite all of the Atlas Lions’s industry. There’s plenty of time left yet for that to change, of course, but Morocco will need to find a moment of quality in front of the goal to match their attacking intent.
Further changes for Morocco
En Nesyri and Boufal are off. Abderrazak Hamdallah and Zakaria Aboukhlal are on.
66 mins: France 1-0 Morocco