France ends Morocco's dream run to reach men's World Cup final
France and Kylian Mbappe are headed back to the World Cup final for a much-anticipated matchup with Lionel Messi after ending Morocco's historic run at men's soccer's biggest tournament.
Lionel Messi Sport News
France end Morocco World Cup dream to set up Argentina final
DOHA: France ended Morocco’s World Cup dream as goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani gave the holders a 2-0 win in their semifinal clash and set up a showdown on Sunday with Lionel Messi’s Argentina. It looked like France might make short work of their opponents when Hernandez scored inside five minutes at Al Bayt Stadium, despite having a hostile crowd against them. But Morocco, the first African and Arab team ever to reach the last four at a World Cup, fought on despite losing key players to injury only to see substitute Kolo Muani seal victory for Les Bleus with a late second.
Martinez: Argentina are getting better with every game
Argentina have improved during the World Cup and found their best form on Tuesday when they beat Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals, said goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Argentina began their World Cup campaign with a shock loss to Saudi Arabia but have since overcome adversity to come within a step of a long-awaited third world title. "Since I started playing in this team, we are getting better and better. We are not the Copa America team. We are not the Finalissima team. We are one step ahead," Martinez told Argentine newspaper Clarin. "We have to believe in great things. Believing it and working for it is something that identifies us a lot, with respect and ambition... We already have the talent. "I dream of returning to Argentina and doing the Olympic lap with my team mates at the Obelisco." Martinez said Argentina had suffered in the last-16 clash with Australia and the quarter-final against the Netherlands, after having both games under control. "This time at halftime we talked and said to each other 'don't let the same thing happen to us'. We had to kill it off. And defensively we played very well. Up front we have four world-class monsters," The 30-year-old Martinez has been key to Argentina's progress with match-winning saves against Australia and in the penalty shootout against the Dutch. After another fine performance against Croatia, team captain Lionel Messi referred to Martinez as a beast. "I love him (Messi). What he did in the Copa America was huge, but what he is doing in this World Cup is something I've never seen in my life," Martinez said. Messi confirmed he will play his last World Cup match in Sunday's final where Argentina will face the winners of Wednesday's last-four clash between France and Morocco.
Argentina getting better and better, says Martinez
Argentina have improved during the World Cup and found their best form on Tuesday when they beat Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals, said goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
'The world stops': Argentines in dreamland as Messi and co ready for final showdown
BUENOS AIRES: Argentines were in a dazed dreamland on Wednesday (Dec 14) in the heady aftermath of a World Cup victory that sets the country up for a final showdown on Sunday and the chance to win the tournament for the first time since Diego Maradona led them to victory in 1986.
History-makers Morocco eye France upset at World Cup
History-making Morocco look to pull off another upset against holders France in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, with Argentina and Lionel Messi lying in wait for the winner.
Thousands flood Buenos Aires streets as Argentina reach World Cup final
BUENOS AIRES: Thousands of Argentines filled the streets of central Buenos Aires with blue-and-white banners on Tuesday (Dec 13) as they watched Lionel Messi lead their team to a 3-0 win over Croatia and a place in the World Cup final.
WATCH | Messi World Cup magic: Pakistani neighbourhood goes mad for Argentina
Thousands of Pakistanis in a Karachi neighbourhood once synonymous with gang violence and poverty will mass together to roar on Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.