FIFA World Cup 2022: Hernandez & Muani shines France beat Morocco set up WC final with Argentina, Player Ratings.

FIFA World Cup semifinal: Reigning Champion Les Bleus snatch away the victory 2-0 over Exciting Atlas Lions on Thursday night for a place in Qatar Final 2022.

Defending champions France moved a step closer to winning back-to-back World Cups, The Les Bleus set up a 2022 World Cup final showdown against Argentina as Randal Kolo Muani's goal 44 seconds after coming off the bench helped secure a 2-0 victory over Morocco in the semi-finals.

The first African team to advance to a World Cup semifinal did not falter in the face of early setbacks, including the injury to crucial defender Nayef-Aguerd after he was selected for the starting lineup and trailing to Theo-hurried Hernandez's fifth-minute goal.

Despite the effort and spirit of Morocco, France was more effective, and a late goal from Kylian Mbappe secured their victory against Argentina and Lionel Messi at Lusail Stadium on Sunday. Randal-Kolo-Muani converted a deflected shot from Mbappe.

Prior to halftime, Morocco also lost the obviously unfit Romain Saiss to injury, but encouraged by their fervent fans, they came close to tying the score, particularly when Jawad El Yamiq's overhead kick was deflected onto the post by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

In the stifling atmosphere of Al Bayt Stadium, France maintained their composure while Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate stood out. France also had opportunities of their own, with Olivier Giroud hitting the post in the first half.

It was clear that Didier Deschamps' team was always a threat to score on the break when Muani, who had been lurking, finally broke Morocco's defence late in the game with his first touch 44 seconds after coming off the bench info field to score his first goal for France.

World Cup 2022 fantasy football: France 2-0 Morocco: Player ratings

France player ratings (4-2-3-1)

FRANCE: Lloris 7; Kounde 7, Varane 6, Konate 7, Theo Hernandez 7; Dembele 6, Tchouameni 6, Griezmann 8, Fofana 6, Mbappe 7; Giroud 5.

Subs: Thuram 7, Muani 7

Didier Deschamps - 8/10 -

Morocco player ratings (5-4-1)

MOROCCO: Bono 6; Hakimi 7, El Yamiq 6, Dari 6, Saiss 6, Mazraoui 6; Ziyech 7, Ounahi 6, Amrabat 7, Boufal 6; En-Nesyri 6.

Subs: Amallah 7, Allah 6, Aboukhal 6, Hamedallah 6, Ezzalzouli n/a

Walid Regragui - 8/10 -

Player of the match - Antoine Griezmann (France)

France reach fourth FIFA World Cup final in 24 years - Opta Key Stats

France are the first nation to reach back-to-back World Cup finals since Brazil in 2002, and first European country to do so since Germany in 1990.

France have reached the World Cup final for a fourth time, all since 1998 (1998, 2006, 2018, 2022). This is twice as many as any other nation in this period.

France's Didier Deschamps is only the fourth manager to lead a nation to back-to-back World Cup finals, after Vittorio Pozzo with Italy (1934, 1938), Carlos Bilardo with Argentina (1986, 1990), and Franz Beckenbauer with Germany (1986, 1990).

France have won all seven of their World Cup knockout games since the start of the 2018 tournament. In World Cup history, only Brazil from 1958 to 1970 (nine) have ever had a longer winning run in knockout matches at the finals.

Randal Kolo Muani scored 44 seconds after coming on as a substitute for France - this was the third-quickest goal ever scored by a substitute in a World Cup game, after Ebbe Sand for Denmark v Nigeria in the 1998 round of 16 (26 seconds) and Richard Morales for Uruguay v Senegal in the 2002 group stage (16 seconds).

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