world Cup

2022 World Cup semi-final games:

Argentina and France face each other for the World Cup title, check out the semi-final games and what to expect from this final.

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Check out the scores from the World Cup semi-final games

Torcedores da França comemorando a vitória nas semifinais da Copa do Mundo.
France fans. Source: Unsplash.

Now the finalists have been defined, and one of the teams will reach their third world championship.

The grand final takes place on Sunday, 12/18, at 12:00 pm. If you don't know where to watch the game, or will be away from home, be sure to check out our article below to learn about FIFA Plus.

Find out where to watch the 2022 World Cup

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With the match scheduled, France defeated the resilience of the Moroccan team, and Argentina defeated the Croatian team.

Now they are the two best teams in the world, one against the other. So, see how the qualifying game for the final between the two teams went, and what to expect from the confrontation between them.

World Cup semi-final scores:

Torcedores comemorando.
Fans celebrating. Source: Unsplash.
  • Argentina 3 x 0 Croatia.
  • France 2 x 0 Morocco.

Check out more details about the games and some of the main points of the clash between France and Argentina below.

Game details:

The greatest scorers of this World Cup will face each other in an exciting final, where Mbappe will meet Messi, but this time, the two will be rivals.

Both players lead the rankings with five goals and are going for it all or nothing.

As just one player doesn't make a team, right behind are Giroud and Julian Álvez helping their teams' stars.

The two pairs face each other for the big World Cup title. 

So, who do you think will take this one, Giroud and Mbappe or Julian Álvarez and Messi?

Argentina x Croatia

A stuck start

The first half started slowly, with Croatia's midfield trio pacing the game and maintaining possession of the ball.

However, the problem in finishing plays, which has accompanied the Croatian team since the group stage, appeared again.

The Croatian team used the same strategy as in the game against Brazil, but they didn't count on what was about to happen.

Croatia's first stumble

In the 33rd minute, in a counterattack, Julian Álvarez receives a beautiful pass, and when he shoots at the goal, he is fouled by goalkeeper Livakovic and, in this way, offers Argentina a great opportunity.

The number 10 that goes into the attack. Messi has already missed a penalty in this World Cup, and in a semi-final game the pressure is much greater.

However, the little guy doesn't seem to have felt it: he hit the ball hard, at an angle, without the slightest chance for the goalkeeper.

With the goal early in the match, Croatia was forced to look for the game more, going up more to try offensive plays.

In other words, when they looked more for the opponent's goal, they ended up unprotecting their defense, and that's when more dangerous plays started to happen.

Him again, Julian Álvarez

A few minutes after Messi's goal, Croatia loses the ball in attack and suffers from a powerful counterattack from Argentina.

Julian Álvarez, the player who conceded the penalty that Messi took, picked up the ball before midfield and carried it into the penalty area, where he had a bit of luck to get past the two defenders and score a great goal.

Messi's magic

After Álvarez's great play, it was Messi's turn to enchant everyone with his football.

With the imminent defeat, Croatia removed defensive players to go on the attack, the only problem was that the number 10 of the Albiceleste team was inspired.

Messi, practically dominated the ball in midfield, from where he came leading, leaving defender Gvardiol lost in the move, when he arrived almost in front of the goal, he made a pass to Julian Álvarez, only to sulk the ball and increase the advantage.

This is Lionel Messi's second final, after the frustration in 2014, this new version of the number 10 is putting in impressive performances.

Rarely does a player have the chance to play in two World Cup finals, and as this is the last cup for this football genius, he will do anything to take the title home.

France x Morocco

One mistake, one goal

Morocco saw its entire strategy fail at the beginning of the game. The team started the tactical formation with more defenders, to contain the French attack, but with this early on they soon had to rethink.

The goal came as a result of a big mistake by the defender, who, when trying to get ahead in a move, ended up leaving Griezmann free, who, when he played into the area, ended up having the ball left for Theo Hernandez to send into the back of the net.

Furthermore, Morocco's defense made another big mistake in defense, which almost cost them the second goal.

The defender let the ball bounce, leaving Giroud to dominate alone in front of the goalkeeper, luckily the attacker's shot ended up hitting the post.

The Moroccan momentum

Even with a goal at the beginning, the Moroccan team did not let themselves be shaken and continued to attack France.

He had his chance to tie the game in the 44th minute, when Yamiq, following a corner, made a beautiful shot, but goalkeeper Lloris made a spectacular save.

And so the first half ended, with the Moroccans putting pressure on the current World Cup champion.

France shows its strength

Morocco was putting a lot of pressure on the right side, with exchanges of passes between Ziyech and Hakimi always creating spaces for them to attack.

That's where the bench made a difference, the coach put striker Thuram to work by putting pressure on these two Moroccan players and reducing their offensive capacity.

A few minutes later, the coach moved well again, introducing Muani, who with his first touch of the ball, scored the goal and increased France's advantage, defining the game.

Despite the defeat, Morocco had a great campaign, and without a doubt, made World Cup history.

What to expect from the final

Torcedor observando a partida.
Fan watching the match. Source: Unsplash.

Now, the confrontation will be between France and Argentina, which in the previous World Cup produced one of the best games of the competition, in a game with several twists and turns, but with France winning.

If the stars of each team continue to perform at the high level they have done in recent games, this final promises an epic match.

Since both teams have two very offensive squads, they will certainly go all out. 

The expectation is a match with many goals, as the competition's top scorers will be in this match.

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