Recap: France vs Morocco – World Cup 2022

Defending world champions finish Morocco’s World Cup desires and guide their place within the remaining.

France have overwhelmed Morocco 2-0 at Al Bayt Stadium to assert a spot in Sunday’s World Cup remaining.

They may play Lionel Messi’s Argentina, who booked their spot with Tuesday’s win over Croatia.

In an end-to-end sport on Wednesday, the defending world champions took their possibilities, however Morocco didn’t make life simple for France, with notable durations of attacking possession both facet of the halftime break.

Theo Hernandez spoils Morocco’s celebration

Morocco pressed excessive early, however left gaps on the again. When Antoine Griezmann discovered one such house within the fifth minute, Morocco panicked. His effort was blocked, but it surely rebounded for Kylian Mbappe. Morocco franticly managed to get in the way in which of his effort too, however failed to manage or clear it, and it bounced to Theo Hernandez.

Hernandez paused for a split-second, unhurried because the ball got here to a hanging top whereas goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was bearing down upon him, then leapt into the air and related with the ball superbly, sending it previous the keeper and into the web. It was the primary objective Morocco had conceded to an opposition participant on the World Cup in Qatar.

5 minutes in, and Morocco’s already robust job turned even tougher.

Morocco make France work

Azzedine Ounahi’s ninth-minute effort from 25 metres out pressured a very good save from a diving Hugo Lloris. Hakim Ziyech shot huge within the fifteenth minute after a candy breakaway from Morocco’s field.

However then it was France’s likelihood to counter, and Olivier Giroud smashed a shot into Morocco’s left upright.

With half an hour down, Morocco had one other good spell of possession in entrance of France’s objective, however once more Walid Regragui’s males couldn’t discover a means via France’s defence. With seven blue shirts in their very own field at one level, not even Hakim Ziyech’s mazy back-and-forth probing run might quantity to something.

Simply earlier than halftime, a fantastic supply from the nook by Ziyech ultimately got here to Jawad El-Yamiq. El-Yamiq, again to objective, launched himself into the air, connecting for a spectacular overhead bicycle kick that pressured Lloris to palm the shot onto the put up.

Two minutes later and one other nook for Ziyech. This was comfortably handled by Lloris, however gave the Moroccans a way of momentum. They have been getting beneath the pores and skin of the French, who promptly gave away two free kicks inside hanging distance. On the break, France have been forward, however Morocco’s Atlas Lions have been those roaring.

Hamdala goes shut

Abderrazak Hamdallah stopped twice as he neared France’s objective within the 74th minute, maybe second-guessing himself on this enormous event. Regardless of the cause, it was one cease too many for Morocco’s greatest likelihood of a number of within the second half.

Mbappe, Thuram and Muani mix

Kolo Muani, on the sphere for lower than a minute, couldn’t miss from two yards out. Mbappe managed to choose up a unfastened Moroccan move in midfield, bringing it right into a congested Moroccan field. His shot bounced off Abde Ezzalzouli into the trail of Muani, who tapped it in. Sport over.