France doubled their advantage in the 79th minute after substitute, Randal Kolo Muani reacted first to a loose ball in the box and put it away
By Kehinde Okeowo
France, set up a scintillating final against Argentina, after defeating the surprise team of this year’s World Cup, Morocco 2-0 at a semi-final played at the Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday night.
France, for all Morocco’s endeavour and spirit, were more clinical as they opened the scoring as early as the 6th minute when Theo Hernandez scored with the left foot to make it 1-0 to the Europeans.
The first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final refused to buckle despite suffering the early blow of losing key defender Nayef Aguerd to injury after he was named in the starting line-up.
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Morocco also lost the clearly unfit Romain Saiss to injury before half-time but, roared on by their fanatical support, they came close to drawing level, especially when Jawad El Yamiq’s overhead kick was kept out by a combination of the post and France keeper Hugo Lloris.
Le Blues doubled their advantage in the 79th minute after substitute, Randal Kolo Muani reacted first to a loose ball and put it away after Abdessamad Ezzalzouli had successfully blocked the shot.
France were pushed all the way towards the end of the match by World Cup wild cards, Morocco but the holders held on to seal a place in Sunday’s final against Argentina.
