Kylian Mbappé against Lionel Messi.
Soccer’s latest superstar against perhaps the best player in the sport in the World Cup final almost everyone expected.
France and Mbappé return to football’s biggest game and a highly-anticipated clash with Argentina, after ending Morocco’s historic World Cup run on Wednesday.
In front of the country’s president, Emmanuel Macron, France beat the first African semi-finalist 2-0, with Mbappé playing a role in goals from Theo Hernández in the fifth minute and substitute Randal Kolo Muani in the 79th.
Mbappé became a global phenomenon by leading France to the title in Russia 2018 and has the chance to emulate Brazilian great Pelé as a champion in his first two World Cups when he faces Messi, 35, who has dominated the world. match with Cristiano Ronaldo for the last 15 years.
It’s the dream final for many, with France looking to become the first team to retain the title since Brazil in 1962 and Argentina on a mission to win football’s ultimate prize for what is likely to be a third time Messi’s last World Cup.
“We need all our strength, all our energy to face a very competitive team with one of the legends of the sport in Messi,” said French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
“We wanted to keep his dream alive”
There will be no team from the Arab world in the finals of the first World Cup in the Middle East, a prospect that seemed almost impossible before the tournament but almost happened in Qatar.
Morocco have been widely praised for progressing in Africa and generated huge pride among the Arab nations after topping a group containing Croatia and Belgium and knocking out two other European powers, Spain and Portugal, in the knockout stages. His players also gave France a far from easy ride, before collapsing in despair after the final whistle.
“We are disappointed for the Moroccan people: we wanted to keep their dream alive,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said. “We felt we could have gone further, but we gave a good image of Morocco and African football. That was important for us.”
French players celebrate after Hernández’s goal in the first half. (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Amazingly, Hernández’s first goal was the first by an opponent against Morocco at the tournament – the other had been an own goal in the group stage – but the team responded to that and the problems of injury in his defense with a fearless performance up front. of tens of thousands of fans who dominated the 60,000-seat Al Bayt Stadium.
France were forced to defend last at times, but have developed a knack for picking up wins despite not playing at their best. The country will play in the final for the fourth time in the last seven World Cups, more than anyone else.
“It wasn’t easy,” said French coach Didier Deschamps, “and we showed our quality, experience and team spirit.”
pursuit of the Golden Boot
Mbappé couldn’t add to his five goals in the tournament but helped set up the opener for Hernandez when his shot deflected off a defender and into the left-back’s path. Hernandez let the ball bounce before curling a low effort into the net from a tight angle.
Typically a defence-first side, Morocco were forced to come out and play despite suffering the loss of Nayef Aguerd to injury in the warm-up and another centre-back, captain Romain Saiss, after just 21 minutes in due to a hamstring injury. Both players were doubtful before the game, but have taken a chance on Regragui along with left-back Noussair Mazraoui, who had flu and only lasted until half-time.
Morocco, cheered on by their fans in red and green, came closest to scoring when Jawad El Yamiq hit the post with an overhead kick in the 44th minute and forced France to defend in numbers, with Antoine Griezmann the team creator, effectively. playing as a lying midfielder and often clearing balls from inside his area.
Morocco’s Jawad El Yamiq attempts an overhead kick during the first half. (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
However, Mbappé enjoyed more space as Morocco tired late in the second half and moved into a central position. After dribbling past two defenders, he took a shot that deflected to Kolo Muani, who blocked it after less than a minute on the pitch.
The goal was celebrated in the VIP seats by Macron, who flew to the game and had earlier visited the Souq Waqif bazaar in Doha before traveling to the stadium. The president congratulated the France players in the dressing room after the match.
However, they may need to step up their game against Argentina.
“Any team with Messi,” Griezmann said, “is a totally different proposition.”
The World Cup trophy isn’t the only thing at stake on Sunday. Messi and Mbappé are tied as top scorers with five goals as they chase the Golden Boot.
The World Cup in Morocco is not over. The team will play the third place match against Croatia at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.