World Cup 2022: Titleholders France end Morocco's run to meet Argentina in finals

Al Khor, Qatar - France ended the fairytale run of Morocco 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the FIFA World Cup final where they face Lionel Messi's Argentina in their bid to become the first team in 60 years to win back-to-back titles.

France (r) and Argentina will face off in the Qatar World Cup finals.
France (r) and Argentina will face off in the Qatar World Cup finals.  © Collage: JUAN MABROMATA & Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

Defender Theo Hernández volleyed France ahead in the fifth minute and Randal Kolo Muani wrapped up matters in the 79th, less than a minute after coming on, after a fine solo from Kylian Mbappé.

But so was Morocco's Jawad El Yamiq on the stroke of halftime as the Atlas Lions fought bravely but also showed some unfamiliar weakness in defense after letting in just one goal in the previous five games en route to becoming the first team from Africa in the final four.

France is the sixth nation to reach successive World Cup finals, the others being Italy (1934, 1938), Brazil (twice: 1958, 1962 and 1994, 1998, 2002), the Netherlands (1974, 1978), West Germany (1982, 1986, 1990) and Argentina (1986, 1990).

Messi's 2022 World Cup jerseys to go up for auction for huge sum
Soccer Messi's 2022 World Cup jerseys to go up for auction for huge sum

Only Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962 have clinched back-to-back titles. Should France win, Didier Deschamps – who was a player when France won their first title in 1998 – will join Italy's Vittorio Pozzo as the only coach to win two World Cups in a row.

Argentina meets France once again for the 2022 World Cup title

The 1978 and 1986 champions Argentina beat 2018 runners-up Croatia 3-0 in the first semifinal on Tuesday and Messi now hopes to take home the trophy in his fifth and final attempt in what will be a big duel with his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Mbappé.

Four years ago, France beat Argentina 4-3 in the last 16 en route to the 2018 title, after losing the first two World Cup dates between the two in 1930 and 1978.

The two teams will face off in the World Cup finals for the 2022 title on Sunday at 10 AM EST on Fox and Telemundo Deportes.

Morocco and Croatia will play for third place on Saturday at 10 AM EST on Fox and Telemundo Deportes.

Cover photo: Collage: JUAN MABROMATA & Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

More on Soccer: