After Argentina’s unexpectedly easy victory over Croatia, fans have been eagerly waiting for the second semi-final of the 2022 World Cup. Considering how confidently the Africans showed themselves in the matches against Belgium, Spain and Portugal, experts predicted a difficult game for France as well. However, the reigning world champions coped with their task surprisingly quickly, scoring the winning goal already in … the 5th minute.

However, the main decoration of the match was the second goal of the French. Mbappe did a real miracle in someone else’s penalty area!

end of fairy tale

After the players of Walid Regraga won their group by beating Belgium and Canada, it was inappropriate to call them underdogs in the playoffs. And despite the sensational departure of powerful Spain, everyone recognized that the Moroccan team was worthy of this victory.

Naturally, all the laurels then went to the Sevilla goalkeeper Yassin Boone, who pulled out a penalty shootout. In the quarter-final game against Portugal, the defense of the African team again did not know any problems, and the Atlas Lions approached the match with France without defeat and with only one goal conceded in five games. Fantastic result.

However, much to the surprise of the audience, the very first dangerous moment at the gates of Morocco in the semi-final of the tournament led to a goal. A sharp pass to Griezmann, a cross into the center of the penalty area, after which Mbappe’s shot was taken by the defender, and finishing off Theo Fernandez. The player hit the ball in a jump and powerfully flashed the goalkeeper and defenders who were trying to block the goal line. A fabulous streak without conceded goals ended at the very beginning of the game.

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Killer man

The cold shower that the Moroccans received made them attack harder and in the first half they were close to a return goal. El-Yamig in the 45th minute after a corner kicked beautifully through himself – but hit the post.

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This episode gave hope that a miracle could take place in the second half. And, perhaps, with a little more luck, Regraga’s players could well score a goal shortly after the break, but the team each time lacked the last pass or a successful rebound.

What can not be said about their opponent. Mbappe, who was forced by the pressure of the Moroccans to work out in defense, found free space in the 79th minute of the match – and created a real miracle. Kilian removed his opponent with a beautiful feint, outplayed Thuram, and then single-handedly went through four opponents already inside the penalty area. Having almost reached the goalkeeper’s area, the Frenchman cut out a perfect pass to Colo-Muani, who had only to put his foot under the gently rolling ball – 2:0. This goal was the last in the match.

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France, surprisingly, for the first time at this World Cup won dry – and absolutely naturally made it to the final. The Moroccans dropped out of the fight for the World Cup, but still achieved a historic achievement – not a single African team has yet played in the semi-finals of the tournament. However, the team still has a chance to improve its record by earning the first medals for its continent – the Atlas Lions will have to fight for bronze with the Croats.