France's Theo Hernandez (left) scores a goal during the World Cup semifinal match between France and Morocco in Al Khor, Qatar on December 14, 2022. Photo: VCG

France will play Argentina in the World Cup final after beating Morocco 2-0 in an enthralling semifinal on Wednesday to stay on course to retain the title and end the fairy-tale run of the North Africans in Qatar.

Theo Hernandez scored in the fifth minute in a perfect start for the holders, who would have been looking for an early strike to silence the rowdy ­Moroccan support at the Al Bayt Stadium and dent the confidence of their team.

But it still proved a close-fought match as Morocco overcame injury blows and showed no deference to France's reputation, taking the game to them in a gallant effort that added to the glowing reputation they have earned at the tournament.

France settled the outcome with a second goal 11 minutes from time as substitute Randal Kolo Muani, with a first touch after coming on, tucked in a shot at the back post.

"There's emotion; there's pride; there's going to be a final step; we've been together with the players for a month; it's never easy; there's happiness so far," said a smiling coach Didier Deschamps.

For the first goal, Hernandez had to lift his left foot high to connect with a bouncing ball from a tight angle to finish off a sweeping move started by Antoine Griezmann's run down the right and a cutback pass that Kylian Mbappe initially fluffed.

Mbappe was the creator of the second as he attempted first to dribble through the Morocco defense and then shoot, his effort blocked but falling for Kolo Muani to net.

Olivier Giroud struck the post and missed from point-blank range in the first half at the end of a barnstorming run through the middle from Aurelien Tchouameni.

The midfielder threaded a superb ball to find Mbappe, whose miscued shot was poorly cleared, allowing ­Giroud a first-time shot which went wide from close-in.

But Morocco were never overawed and created opportunities of their own as Azzedine Ounahi forced two good saves out of France captain Hugo ­Lloris with speculative efforts, and curling set pieces put the French defence under pressure.

The North Africans were hit hard by injuries to their key center-backs with the gamble of naming Nayef Aguerd in the starting lineup failing to work as he hurt his hamstring in the warm-up and skipper Romain Saiss was forced off after 20 minutes.

'We gave the maximum'

Replacement center-back Jawad El Yamiq was, however, closest to an equalizer with a spectacular bicycle kick on the stroke of halftime, from a poorly cleared corner by the French, with Lloris getting a vital touch as it hit the base of the upright.

"We gave the maximum, that's the most important," said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.

"We had some injuries, we lost Aguerd in the warm-up, Saiss, Mazraoui at halftime. We paid for the slightest mistake. We didn't get into the game well, we had too much technical waste in the first half, and the second goal kills us, but that doesn't take away everything we did before."

France's victory set up the tantalizing prospect of a decisive clash between Argentina maestro Lionel Messi, at the end of his international career, and France's Mbappe, emerging as the next superstar of the world game.

Deschamps admitted he was "immensely proud" and said his team would try to find a way of countering Messi who is in "scintillating form" for Argentina.

"I am immensely proud. It is great to be through to the final but it was not an easy victory," said Deschamps.

"We needed a mixture of quality, experience and team spirit, and in difficult periods we had to dig deep but I am really satisfied and proud of my players."

France are aiming to become the first team in 60 years to win back-to-back World Cup titles after Brazil's double victories in 1958 and 1962.

However, they must prepare to face an Argentina side who have been inspired on their way to the final by Messi and who will be seeking revenge for a 4-3 defeat when the teams met in the last 16 four years ago.

"Messi has been in scintillating form since the start of the tournament," Deschamps admitted.

"Four years ago things were different. He played as a center forward, whereas now he is playing in a front two or just behind the striker.

"He looks in great shape and of course he is one of the best players in the world so we will try to counter Messi's threat as much as possible, just as Argentina will try to stop the influence of some of my players."