Morocco's momentous run halted after France prove too much of a challenge

Morocco’s improbable, history-making run at the World Cup has come to an end at the hands of defending champions France.

Africa’s first World Cup semi-finalist played a fit and firing French side, who scored twice to knock the African nation out of the competition.

Goals from Lucas Hernández and Randal Kolo Muani were enough to dash the countries' hopes at World Cup victory.

Wednesday’s match had major cultural and political connotations - Morocco was under French rule from 1912-56.

Morocco had exceeded all expectations in Qatar by beating second-ranked Belgium in the group stage and then eliminating European powerhouses Spain and Portugal in the knockout phase to reach the semi-finals.No African or Arab nation had ever gotten this far and is one of the biggest stories in the World Cup's 92-year history.

"I was asked if we can win the World Cup and I said, ‘Why not? We can dream, it doesn’t cost you anything to have dreams,’” said Walid Regragui, Morocco’s French-born coach before the match.

"European countries are used to winning the World Cup and we have played top sides, we have not had an easy run. Anyone playing us is going to be afraid of us now."

France fielded a scary forward team headed by Kylian Mbappe, who had the unenviable task of breaking down a side that hadn't conceded a goal so far in the tournament.

The only time a goal previously went in their net was an own-goal by defender Nayef Aguerd against Canada in the group stage - a game they won 2-1.

Speaking on Tuesday Regragui said his team was ready to "change the mentality" of Africa, and he told his players not to settle for anything less than the top prize.

"We’re going to fight to move on, for the African nations, for the Arab world," he said. The cultural and political importance of Morocco's success is already playing out.

In the Western Sahara region, which is claimed by Morocco, the local ethnic Sahrawi have a negative view of the Rabat government.

But members of the Sahrawi have been seen cheering for Morocco, showing the unifying power of the first Arab to progress this far.

The fact they faced France was significant, dredging up the uncomfortable colonial history between the two nations.

Many of the players on the Moroccan team have connections to France and 14 of the 26 players on the squad were born abroad.

"Most of the Moroccan players who were born abroad chose Morocco as their national team because they feel they play for more than just to win a football match," said Maher Mezahi, a Marseille-based Algerian journalist covering African football.

"They play to elevate national pride and to make their family proud."Regragui said: "I’m a dual national, and that’s an honour and a pleasure, and it’s an honour and a pleasure to face France.

"But I’m the Morocco coach and we’re going to be playing the best team in the world. The most important thing is to get through to the final.

"When we play for the Moroccan national team, we are Moroccans."

Having defeated Morocco 2-0, France will face Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.

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