France Edge Past Morocco to Reach the 2022 World Cup Final
On 14 December 2022, France secured a 2‑0 victory over Morocco in the first semifinal of the FIFA World Cup held at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. The win sent Les Bleus to their third consecutive final appearance, setting up a showdown with either Argentina or Croatia.
Key Moments of the Match
France began strongly, with Theo Hernández opening the scoring in the fifth minute after a swift counter‑attack finished by a low drive into the bottom corner. Morocco, who had impressed throughout the tournament by eliminating Spain and Portugal, struggled to break down a well‑organized French defence.
The second goal arrived late in the second half. In the 79th minute, Randal Kolo Muani pounced on a loose ball inside the box after a corner kick, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to seal the win. The goal underscored France’s ability to capitalize on set‑piece situations, a hallmark of their campaign.
Kylian Mbappé’s Influence
Although Kylian Mbappé did not find the net in this match, his presence was felt throughout the game. The 23‑year‑old forward completed three successful dribbles, created two chances, and consistently stretched the Moroccan back line, allowing teammates such as Hernández and Kolo Muani to exploit the spaces.
Mbappé’s tournament record remained impressive: he entered the semifinal with four goals in five matches, bringing his World Cup tally to 12 goals across 16 appearances. This placed him joint‑second on the all‑time French scorers list in World Cup history, just behind Thierry Henry.
Looking Ahead: Potential Final Opponents
With the victory, France awaited the winner of the other semifinal between Argentina and Croatia. A final against Argentina would renew the rivalry that produced a memorable 2018 final, while a meeting with Croatia would present a rematch of the 2018 final as well.
The French squad, led by captain Hugo Lloris and coach Didier Deschamps, expressed confidence in their ability to adapt tactically, citing the depth of talent across midfield and attack as a key advantage heading into the final.
