FIFA World Cup 2022
The French team was relieved after a hard-fought 2-0 win in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar against outsiders Morocco. “It’s great to be in the final. It wasn’t an easy win,” said coach Didier Deschamps. “We had to get through challenging moments. I’m very proud.”
In fact, his team needed a bit of luck against the strong Moroccans, especially in the second half. An early goal from Theo Hernandez (5th minute) and a late goal from substitute Randal Kolo Muani (79th) decided the game. The Equipe Tricolore could now be the first team since Brazil 1962 to successfully defend the title in Sunday’s final against Argentina.
First of all, the French wanted to enjoy the moment. For the fourth time after 1998, 2006 and 2018 they are in the final of a World Cup. “The final high. ‘Les Bleus’ will defend their World Cup against Argentina on Sunday thanks to a wonderful volley from Theo Hernandez,” wrote L’Equipe, noting: “Les Bleus didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory against a brave Morocco, but they play their fourth World Cup final against Argentina and Lionel Messi on Sunday. A great achievement before an immense rendezvous.”
“Le Figaro” became almost poetic: “’Les Bleus’ conquer Morocco and have a rendezvous with the legend (Messi, ed.). So this is football: stress, sweat, fear of the worst, then a sigh of relief and indescribable joy. For a moment in limbo, timeless and simply beautiful. But mostly historical. The French national team went through all these emotions on Wednesday night, but they achieved the most important thing: reaching the final of the World Cup. They had to fight against the heroic Moroccans. Masterful.”
“Keep your feet on the ground”
France’s President Emmanuel Macron was a guest in the dressing room after the win and congratulated the team around superstar Kylian Mbappe, who celebrated their victory omitted but briefly. “I’m already focusing on the final on Sunday and trying to keep my feet on the ground,” said Antoine Griezmann, who put in another strong performance against Morocco and was voted man of the match. “I’m trying to recover and prepare for Sunday’s game.”
Then Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot, who were still ill on Wednesday, should be there again, as Deschamps announced. At the 2018 World Cup, the eventual world champion defeated the Argentines in the round of 16, and this time the French want to spoil Messi again at his last World Cup. “It’s a different team than the one we played four years ago,” said Deschamps, who announced: “There’s one last game to play. We will play for the title on Sunday.”