France were superior in tactics and with a bit of luck, they tamed the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup to set up a final date with Argentina on Sunday.
The Blues of France were gifted an early goal, which Theo Hernandez stabbed home for the first goal. With nothing to lose the Moroccans poured out looking for an equalisers, but indecision up front by their strikers and a brilliant Hugo Loris stopped the Atlas Lions from causing any further up sets in Qatar 2022. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani killed off any hope of a fight back by the Moroccans with a late minute goal.
France will be the second team since Brazil 1962 to retain the title if they win on Sunday and according to Hernandez, Messi and his Argentina team will not be an obstacle.
“Playing two World Cup finals in a row is an incredible moment. We did a good job, it was hard, but we are in the final,” said Hernandez to Italian station RAI Sport after the semi-final win.
“We will work hard to win this final.
“Now we have to think about the final. I’m tired, but it’s nice to win a World Cup semi-final. Now let’s recover for Sunday. Messi doesn’t scare us, Argentina are an incredible team but we have a few days to work.”
Also speaking coach Didier Deschamps said: “This victory arouses emotion and pride. Today was a very important match.
“We’ve been together with the players for a month now, it’s never easy and we’ve also had luck so far, the players have been rewarded as a team and we’ll look for the title Sunday. It’s wonderful.”
