Reigning football world champions France have set up a 2022 World Cup final showdown on Sunday with Lionel Messi’s Argentina after beating Morocco 2-0 in their semifinal clash on Wednesday.
Theo Hernandez scored France’s first goal inside five minutes at Al Bayt Stadium and substitute Randal Kolo Muani sealed victory for Les Bleus with a late second.
Morocco, the first African and Arab team ever to reach the last four at a World Cup, fought hard despite losing key players to injury.
Centre-back Nayef Aguerd withdrew at the last minute, fellow defender and captain Romain Saiss left the field after just 21 minutes and the Atlas Lions also lost Bayern Munich left-back Noussair Mazraoui at halftime.
For France, two of their starters in the quarterfinal win over England, Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano, were missing due to illness.
The Sunday showdown with Argentina at Lusail Stadium will be France’s fourth World Cup final in seven editions.
France will be hoping to become the first team since Brazil 60 years ago to retain the trophy.
Morocco will now face Croatia in Saturday’s third-place play-off.