World Cup holders France beat Morocco to set up final with Messi’s Argentina

Crowds in Paris and other French cities erupted in shouts of joy as France advanced to the World Cup final on Wednesday night after crushing Morocco's World Cup dreams, defeating the North African side 2-0.

The French will now go on to battle it out against Argentina on Sunday in their fourth final in all, having won the last tournament in Russia in 2018.

Meanwhile, disappointed Morocco fans mingled with the exuberant supporters of the winning team, paying tribute to the African country's unprecedented achievement. 
 
Football fans streamed to the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, shooting off firecrackers and red flares, to an unending chorus of honking cars.

Some Moroccan fans, wrapped in the North African country's flag, also cheered their team in the streets of the French capital.

Celebrating the victory near the Bastille square, in central Paris, Adrien Vignau, a 22-year-old Parisian, praised a “great victory for France” and said he was looking forward to the final against Argentina and its star player, Lionel Messi.

“Bravo to Moroccans,” said Parisian Corentin Voiseux. “Tonight it’s not only France that wins but all of the French-speaking people. ... We are together and Moroccans will be with us at the final,” he added.