AGENCIES
December 15: France will face Argentina in a heavyweight World Cup final after the French side beat underdogs Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal match on Wednesday. According to media reports, holders France stayed on course to become the first team in 60 years to successfully defend the trophy thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani at Al Bayt Stadium.

Morocco, the first African side to reach the last four of the World Cup, had built their success on brilliant defending and fast counter attacks, but they got a taste of their own medicine when France abandoned possession early on and struck after five minutes, Reuters reported.

According to the news agency, Theo Hernandez's high hooked finish from a deflected Kylian Mbappe shot put the defending champions ahead and forced Walid Regragui's team to take the initiative, ending the game with more possession than Les Bleus.

Regragui had noted on Tuesday that France were tactical masters and able to adjust to any opponents as he praised Didier Deschamps as the best coach in the world.

“Morocco pushed hard after the break, giving Mbappe more and more space off the left flank. The Paris St Germain forward then switched to a lone-striker role when Marcus Thuram replaced Giroud on 65 minutes,” Reuters reported.

Substitute Randal Kolo Muani poked the ball home 11 minutes from time with his first touch after some brilliant work by Mbappe. That wrapped a win that reminded everyone of France's tournament nous and that Argentina better come up with a masterplan of their own in Sunday's final at Lusail stadium, added the news agency.