France broke a 64-year-old record to lead 1-0 against Morocco at half-time in the semi-final on Thursday morning.
History-makers Morocco are looking to pull off another giant upset against the reigning world champions, but it looked as if their luck had already run out when France scored a crucial opening goal after just four minutes.
It is a potentially game-changing goal for Morocco as the country rely on their defense to progress to the semi-finals as the first team since 1990 to concede just one goal.
France took just four minutes to do what Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and star-studded Spain could not.
The sloppy goal came when the ball bounced twice from vicious half-kicks inside the penalty area before it volleyed past Theo Hernandez wide of the goal.
He volleyed home past goalkeeper Benjamin Pavard and now Morocco will need their third striker to get them back into the game.
It was the first time in the entire tournament that Morocco has gone behind in a game.
According to football statistics agency Opta, the goal, after four minutes and 39 seconds, is also the fastest goal scored in a World Cup semi-final in 64 years.
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright said the goal briefly silenced the Al Bayt Stadium, which is packed with more than 50,000 Moroccan fans.
“This is a disease for Morocco,” he said.
“They’ve been so solid defensively all tournament, but El Yamiq was caught and his teammates couldn’t clear their lines after that.”
The BBC’s Danny Murphy said it was a “surprise start” for Morocco.
However, there were plenty of signs of life for Morocco, with the team coming close to equalizing on several occasions. With the game wide open, France’s Olivier Giroud missed two chances, including a shot that hit the post. Morocco were also unlucky not to be on the scoresheet with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois forced to make multiple brilliant saves, including one from an extraordinary bicycle kick attempt by Jawad El Yamiq.
France know victory against Morocco will leave them just one win away from becoming the first team in 60 years to successfully defend the trophy.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina await them in Monday morning’s final.
The task of reaching the final was made more difficult for France in the hours leading up to the match when it was announced that Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot would not start after being unwell in recent days.
A flu-like illness is reportedly spreading through the French camp.
France confirmed Bayern Munich star Upamecano missed training due to illness and his return remains a mystery.
Upamecano was one of the few players to keep his place in the side with all the tactical changes coach Didier Deschamps made in recent games. Rabiot has played every game in this tournament.
It saw Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate come into the team, while Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana came into midfield for Rabiot.
There was a special moment in the tunnel in the minute before the teams took to the pitch when Paris Saint-Gerain teammates Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi shared a hug and a handshake.
Morocco, the first African nation to reach the final four, have already upset 2010 champions Spain and highly-rated Portugal en route to the semi-finals, a record which left France captain Hugo Lloris warning his companions of complacency.
“When a team is able to beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal, and finish first in their group, it’s because they have a lot of quality on the field and, without a doubt, also outside, in cohesion and team spirit,” said Lloris.
“They will be formidable opponents and, on top of that, there will be a hostile atmosphere in the stadium.”
Deschamps’ side are closing in on a third World Cup triumph in seven tournaments, but will be aware that no team has retained the World Cup since Pele’s Brazil did the feat in 1962.
Thursday’s match has added spice given that France was Morocco’s colonial power and more than a million Moroccans live in the country.
Their not-so-secret weapon on Thursday is the incredible support of fans in the stadium and across the Arab world.