France will now have the chance to win their second consecutive FIFA World Cup. A feat that has only been reached once in the tournament’s history, and the first since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962.
France defeated Morocco using a process they have not utilized much in their matches leading up to the semi-final, a little thing I call desperation.
You wouldn’t expect a team with generational stars who disposed of tournament favorites England to struggle mightily against a Moroccan team that ranks 22 in the world, but that’s exactly what happened.
A fast start and early goal from Theo Hernandez to help France into the lead was the best French play of the game, and for the next 85 minutes les bleus fought an uphill battle.
Over and over again Morocco attacked. They attacked with speed, they attacked with quality, and they attacked with ingenuity. France’s defense were constantly unlocked and bailed out by last-ditch defending. All of the luck Morocco had used up this moment ran dry, and in the end could not find the back of the net.
Eventually the quality was too much to bare for Morocco and the mercurial Mbappe beat four players in the box for a shot which eventually deflected to a French foot for goal number two. Late in the second half France said “merci beaucoup,” 2-0.
Soccer is a game where the team that puts the ball in the opposition’s net more than their opponent wins. At the end of 90 minutes on Wednesday night approaching midnight Qatar time, France had more goals than their opponents and they will advance to their second consecutive FIFA World Cup final. Lionel Messi, the greatest player of all time awaits.
Saw it the way I did