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Randal Kolo Muani made the decision just 42 seconds after coming on
Photo:
FRANCK FIFE / AFP
The French national football team has reached the World Cup final for the second year in a row.
In the semi-finals of the tournament in Qatar, the world champion won 2-0 (1-0) with goals from Theo Hernández (5th minute) and Randal Kolo Muani (79th).
Now the French only need one win to successfully defend their World Cup title, the last time Brazil did so was in 1962.
France's opponent in the final will be Argentina with superstar Lionel Messi.
The game will take place on Sunday (4 p.m., TV: ARD).
Morocco can secure third place against Croatia on Saturday (4 p.m., TV: Magenta).
It only took five minutes for the favorite to take the lead.
Because substitute central defender Jawad El Yamiq misjudged a tackle, Antoine Griezmann had space on the right side.
After his cross pass, Kylian Mbappé's shot was initially blocked before Hernández acrobatically hit the short corner in the second attempt (5th).
The Moroccans conceded the first goal of the tournament that was not an own goal.
Only shortly after the 0: 1 Azzedine Bounahi aimed from about 20 meters at the left corner, but Équipe keeper Hugo Lloris stretched and parried the dangerous flick (10th).
The French had the better chances.
Olivier Giroud first hit the outside of the post (17') and finished hastily in an unchallenged position (36').
The 36-year-old would have had time to receive the ball in the Moroccan penalty area.
Things got spectacular just before half-time when El Jamiq attempted an overhead kick.
Lloris and the post prevented the equalizer (44th).
France survives the pressure phase, then Kolo Muani stabs
After the half-time break, France found themselves in great distress.
Morocco combined well, overplayed the French defense with the right timing and kept getting into the penalty area.
However, there was no concrete conclusion at first, and the French kept getting a foot in the way.
On the other hand, France risked little, most attacks were outnumbered.
Youssouf Fofana (74') had the best chance.
Abderrazak Hamdallah missed the right moment to dribble for Morocco (76').
Then came the 79th minute: Mbappé shot from the right position in a confined space, the ball was deflected to the second post.
Kolo Muani was right there.
The Eintracht Frankfurt pro pushed in the ricochet 42 seconds after being substituted on to make it 2-0.
The great chance for a late Moroccan consolation goal was thwarted by Jules Koundé on the line (90+4).
mrk
