France gets past underdog Morocco, advances to World Cup final vs. Argentina

Theo Hernández and Randal Kolo Muani scored as France defeated underdog Morocco, 2-0, in Qatar on Wednesday, sending Les Bleus into the World Cup final against perennial powerhouse Argentina.

Attacking from a sharp angle six yards out, Hernández scored on an acrobatic volley in the fifth minute at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, giving France the only goal it would need.

The Frenchmen, winners of soccer's most coveted trophy in 1998 and 2018, are seeking to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil did in 1958 and 1962.

And on the other side of Sunday's massive match, 35-year-old Argentine legend Lionel Messi and his teammates will seek to capture their nation's first World Cup title since 1986 - a tournament best known for Argentina's quarterfinal victory over England, thanks in part to Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal.

Even as one of his sport's greatest players, Messi has long been the unfair target of frustrated fans back home for the national team's failure to win the World Cup.

At: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/france-gets-underdog-morocco-advances-world-cup-final-vs-argentina-rcna61680

National football team captains Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Hugo Lloris (France) greet during their last World Cup encounter in 2018.

The two countries' teams will face off in the 22nd World Cup final this Sunday - the fourth for France, and the sixth for Argentina.