France – Morocco – 1:0
Following the emotional victory of the Argentina national team over Croatia in the first semi-final, Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, and the squad looked ready for another high-stakes clash as France faced Morocco, ending with a 1:0 result that surprised some observers.
There was good reason for the intrigue. Morocco, the current African champions and the most unlikely semifinalist from the continent, stood in stark contrast to a French side boasting depth, experience, and a relentless attacking style. The clash underscored a broader narrative: history between nations often adds a sharper edge to the field, yet football could still write its own surprising chapters.
France, the 2018 World Cup champions, entered the match with a legacy that included hopes of securing back-to-back titles for the first time since Brazil and Italy achieved that feat decades earlier. Didier Deschamps had assembled a squad famed for balance, technical quality, and a winning mentality that had carried them through the tournament stages with confidence.
Morocco, coached by Walid Regragui, fielded a lineup filled with players from top European clubs, including stints with Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Sevilla. The team had shown discipline, organization, and a knack for breaking down opponents with quick transitions and solid defense, even while managing key injuries that tested their depth during the tournament run.
Before this semi-final, Morocco had already delivered a notable feat by advancing deep into the competition and demonstrating a compact defensive shape capable of resisting elite teams. In group play against Canada, they had felt comfortable in control, leaving the field with a 2-0 scoreline in their favor, signaling intent and resilience.
From the opening minutes, Morocco pressed high and forced France into difficult situations. The European side took control of possession, built through patient buildup, and tried to unlock the Moroccan back line with measured runs and smart rotations. A sharp moment came early when Theo Hernandez found a shooting angle, testing the Moroccan defense and goalkeeper. The match remained tense as both sides searched for a breakthrough, with replacements and tactical adjustments influencing the pace and rhythm.
As the first half unfolded, the Moroccan threat never faded. They launched quick counters and created moments of danger, keeping the French defense alert. At times, the ball spent long spells in the midfield, with neither team able to establish a decisive tempo. Yet the sky seemed to tilt toward France as the siege around the box intensified and Olivier Giroud came close with a powerful strike from the penalty area, testing the woodwork and the reflexes of the Moroccan keeper.
Late in the opening period, a commanding display from the Moroccan defense kept the scoreline tense. A set piece ended with a near-miss as the ball skimmed the post and out. The teams headed into halftime with a sense that a single moment could decide the course of the match, and both sides walked off with renewed resolve for the second half.
The second half saw an even more aggressive approach from France, pressing high and seeking opportunities to stretch the Moroccan back line. A stoppage-time surge from Kylian Mbappé electrified the crowd as he produced a burst of pace and a sequences of dribbles to create space in the attacking third. A rebound situation eventually found Randal Kolo Muani in a promising position, and he converted to put the French ahead, securing his first goal for the national team in a crucial moment of the game.
Morocco responded with urgency, pushing forward and crafting chances of their own. They continued to press, forcing France into tight defensive sequences and fleeting moments of panic in the box. Yet the French defense held firm, and the clean sheet stood as the final whistle approached.
The final action saw France extend their lead as the clock wound down, and the match concluded with a 1:0 victory. This result propelled France into the final, where they would meet Argentina in Qatar, while Morocco prepared for the bronze match against Croatia.