‘It’s never easy but it’s been such a joy’: Didier Deschamps urges France to ‘savour every moment’ after seeing off Morocco to reach a second successive World Cup final, with Argentina standing in their way of back-to-back titles
And so France remain on track to win the first back-to back World Cups in 60 years after seeing off an exceptional Morocco challenge.
How different it could have been had Morocco, the first African side to make it to a semi-final, not missed a huge opportunity shortly before the French doubled their lead.
‘It’s never easy but it’s been such a joy,’ said France boss Didier Deschamps, who leads his team to a second successive final.
France claimed a 2-0 win against Morocco to reach a second successive World Cup final
Didier Deschamps has urged his players and staff to ‘savour every moment’ ahead of the final
‘We’re going to go after the title on Sunday. We’re going to enjoy the time. I tell this to my staff and players. Take every moment in the day to really appreciate and savour the moment. In four days we are going to play for a world title.
‘We’ll enjoy it now and get ready for the last match of this World Cup.’
Striker Olivier Giroud said: ‘When you are a young kid and start to play football, you have to grab your chance. Don’t judge me by success but by how many times I get knocked down and come back up.
‘You don’t lose, you just learn. You need to use those bad moments to achieve the target. The most important thing is to see the stars in people’s eyes when you celebrate and win.
‘You’re whole country is behind you, your country, your friends. I feel very proud, it’s a dream come true. I want to win even more trophies.’
Olivier Giroud (L) branded Les Bleus’ latest World Cup final appearance a ‘dream come true’
The final will be a contest between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint-Germain team-mates who, with five goals each, are also competing for the Golden Boot. But Argentina will have been encouraged by the space France’s star player allowed the Moroccans by not tracking back.
Achraf Hakimi and Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech posed a major attacking threat down the right. Morocco came close to equalising before half-time when France keeper Hugo Lloris was forced to scramble Jawad El Yamiq’s bicycle kick on to a post.
Deschamps’ men can become the first back-to-back World Cup winners in 60 years on Sunday
But standing in their way is none other than the great Lionel Messi and Argentina this weekend
‘The French team have a lot of experience. They know how to get over the line,’ said former England striker Alan Shearer on the BBC. But his colleague Rio Ferdinand added: ‘As good as France are, Lionel Messi and Argentina will be sat there licking their lips a little bit.
‘They will be thinking there are areas they can get at France, particularly down the left-hand area of their defence.
‘With Julian Alvarez and Messi dancing around, it is going to be a great game.’
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