France break Moroccan hearts to set up decider with Argentina

The defending champions are one win away from more World Cup glory

France booked a place in the World Cup final against Argentina in Qatar after beating Morocco 2-0 with goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Muani at the Al-Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.

Perhaps fortunate due to the slew of chances enjoyed by Morocco, Les Bleus showed champions' mettle as they managed to carve out a win on the back foot as they had done against England in the quarterfinals.

With their victory, the Russia 2018 kings are the first team to reach back-to-back World Cup finals since Brazil in 1998 and 2002.

As for Morocco, making history as the first African and Arab semi-finalists in tournament history, they can hold their heads high after putting on another gutsy display against strong European opposition. 

France had a lucky break early in the match when a slip in Morocco's back line allowed Antoine Griezmann to break free and pass into the box to Kylian Mbappe.

The Atlas Lions tussled with the Paris Saint-Germain superstar and managed to block his shot, but the ball broke free to left back Lucas Hernandez who smashed a bouncing half-volley past Yassine Bounou on five minutes. 

France came close again when Olivier Giroud clipped Bounou's post on 17 minutes. After that, though, it was pretty much all Morocco with Jawad El Yamiq's stunning overhead kick that hit Hugo Lloris' post on the stroke of half time the best of numerous opportunities.

In the second half, it was business as usual as the fearless Moroccans took the game to their foe.  Substitute Selim Amallah scuffed a shot in the area approaching the hour mark, and two decent crosses were either too high or unable to meet their targets in Youssef En-Nesyri and Zakaria Aboukhlal. 

This would've been something special