KEIR RADNEDGE in AL KHOR —- Leo Messi could relax, briefly. He was already in Sunday’s World Cup Final. The remaining semi-final pressure devolved upon the shoulders of France and local Arab favourites Morocco with the holders winning 2-0 to reach a second successive title showdown.

Coach Didier Deschamps did not enjoy ideal preparation time after the quarter-final victory over England. Influenza denied him the services of workhorse midfielder Adrien Rabiot and central defender Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot. Ibrahima Konaté and Youssouf Fofana stepped up in their places.

Juventus midfielder Rabiot did not even make the trip to the Al-Bayt stadium while the Bayern defender, was well enough to be named on the teamsheet.

Morocco soon had problems enough of their own. West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd, who had been a doubt, pulled out in the warm-up and was replaced by Achraf Dari. If that was not bad enough, they went a goal down in the fifth minute.

Jawad El Yamiq slipped as he went to cut out a through ball from Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann skipped away to cross for Kylian Mbappe to battle for the ball which eventually broke left where Theo Hernandez stretched up a leg to shoot past Yassine Bono.

Morocco needed an instant reply to reward the raging support of their fans. Azzedine Ounahi tried, breaking through midfield to unleash a low drive which forced a diving save from French keeper Hugo Lloris. Next Hakim Ziyech galloped away but lost his footing as he shot and the ball dribbled tamely wide. Lloris was not even troubled.

At this point Moroccan were further disrupted by the enforced substitution of Romain Saiss who had also been a doubt after being injured in Saturday’s memorable victory over Portugal.

Morocco were having to do something highly unusual now, think about attack. This suited France and Olivier Giroud should have done better than strike the outside of a post on the break. Minutes later Giroud shied a shot on the turn after an Mbappe effort was cleared off the goal line.

Morocco, after their unfortunate start, not only forced their way back into the game but took control in the run-up to halftime. France took the risk of leaving Mbappe upfield which gave the freedom of the wing to Morocco’s Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi.

Ziyech proved dangerous with his corners and free kicks. France failed to clear one corner and El Yamiq’s overhead bicycle kick was saved, one-handed by Lloris at the foot of his right-hand post.

The French goal lived a charmed life as Morocco piled on after the break. They were reminiscent of South Korea in 2002, running and chasing with turebocharged vigour. France, under intense pressure, no longer had a shape, more a jigsaw puzzle of players with all their lines blurred but their covering and defending was magnificent.

France brought on Marcus Thuram in place of Giroud and indulged in a briet attacking flurry. Thuram proved a nuisance on the break and Yousuf Fofana shot wide in another counter.

Deschamps sent of Randal Kolomuani in place and the inneffective Ousmane Dembele and was rewarded within a few seconds as he tapped home after Mbappe had driven through the heart of the Moroccan defence.

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