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France are into the FIFA 2022 World Cup final after a 2-0 win over Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday as Theo Hernandez’s early goal and substitute Randal Kolo Muani’s late strike was enough to secure victory. The defending champions were expected to push on after that fifth-minute effort but the encounter with the history-makers from Africa turned into a sterner test than imagined and it took until the 79th minute for it to ultimately be decided.
Olivier Giroud did hit the post in the first half, but so too did Jawad El Yamiq as Les Bleus were asked to put in another defensive shift to earn their date with Argentina. The AC Milan man said after the 2-1 win over England that the nature of the victory reminded him of the 2018 French 1-0 semifinal success against Belgium in Russia, but in truth, this was that game — narrow and nervy.
“It is an emotional and proud moment,” said head coach Didier Deschamps after the final whistle. “It was a significant step. There is one more to go. We have been together for a month. It is never easy, but this has been a joy to experience.”
Not only the final score but also the backs-to-wall nature of France’s showing will have reminded a tense Deschamps of that glorious day at Krestovsky Stadium. This might have been Al Khor four years later, but captain Hugo Lloris was still there between the sticks and Raphael Varane was once again a rock at the heart of the defense with two clearances and one interception inside the box.
The Manchester United man actually deserves some credit as he has rediscovered his former self in Qatar just in time for another shot at title glory. As Deschamps has done with Antoine Griezmann, he has also done with Varane and stripped his game back down to the basics and rebuilt one of his most trusted on-pitch lieutenants.
Twenty3
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