Morocco’s redoubtable resistance was finally broken, and they were beaten, but certainly not bowed.
What a team they are, even in defeat, even when France forged forward into another final, perhaps into the record books as the first country in 60 years to successfully defend a World Cup. They will keep hold of the title they all want above anything else if they beat Argentina in Sunday's final.
It wasn’t Kylian Mbappe, or Olivier Giroud, or even Antoine Griezmann that settled this semi-final at a raucous and red Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday night. But Theo Hernandez, the full-back who in all honesty deputises for his brother, and little-used substitute Randal Kolo Muani. To be fair to Hernandez, at least, he took his goal like a master marksman.
It arrived on five minutes, the first goal Morocco conceded in Qatar from an opposing player - it took only six matches, and then some – and the second 44 seconds after Kolo Muani’s introduction. With 11 minutes remaining, and 2-0 down, Morocco could not summon another Herculean effort.
Still, what they have given this tournament, given Africa and the Arab world, trailblazers for both. Their unwavering belief, the unremitting commitment to the cause, a dogged disregard for the old order. Their dancing mothers.
They have been a pleasure and a precedent; something to cherish, a reason to rally behind and to rail against the role of underdog, any sense of not belonging. They still have third place to play for, against Croatia on Saturday, mind.
When all is said and done, the dust settled in Doha after a World Cup full of the extraordinary, what an accomplishment that would be. What an accomplishment it already is.
Remember, they were hamstrung here by Nayef Aguerd’s withdrawal before kick-off, captain Romain Saiss’ substitution 20 minutes in, even Noussair Mazraoui’s inability to return for the second half. Three quarters of the previously impregnable defence.
Argentina crush Croatia
The same, though, can be said of France. They have rendered redundant injuries to a raft of key men – N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema, Presnel Kimpembe, latterly Lucas Hernandez – to possibly cling to their mantle. Minus their core, and of course maintained by Mbappe’s ridiculous excellence, France have for the most part displayed a swagger that only champions generally do.
They will, though, breathe a hefty sigh of relief after seeing off Morocco. Stung early, Walid Regragui’s men rallied and rebounded. They tested Hugo Lloris, France’s World Cup-winning captain; they struck the woodwork with an audacious overhead kick. They piled on the pressure, pinned back the holders and, almost, made heroes of themselves once more.
If only Griezmann wasn’t set free down the inside right, that he didn’t cut back the ball to Mbappe and, while his effort was blocked, it did not deflect invitingly into Hernandez’s path.
The left-back, playing only because older sibling Lucas was injured in the opener against Australia, took it superbly, firing home an acrobatic volley.
Coming on four minutes and 39 seconds, it marked the tournament’s fastest semi-final goal since Brazil against the French, in 1958.
But, just as you worried for Morocco, how they would handle a first setback, they fought back again. Azzedine Ounahi tested Lloris from range, Hakim Ziyech screwed wide when well placed. Right before half-time, a combination of the post and Lloris’ fingertips denied defender Jawad El Yamiq’s fantastic overhead kick. After the interval, Ibrahima Konate denied Youssef El-Nesyri a simple tap-in.
That’s not to say France didn’t have their chances. Giroud rattled the upright also, midway through the first half. Later, France’s recently anointed all-time leading scorer curled off target after Mbappe had raced through.
Late on, they sealed it. Mbappe twisted inside and out and, although his shot was repelled, it fell in front of Kolo Muani for the easiest of finishes.
France fight on. Having extinguished one of the great tournament storylines, they set scope on another on Sunday. To Lionel Messi and Argentina they go.
Cracks in the Wall
Ben White, Pluto Press
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Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.
"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
MATCH INFO
Day 1 at Mount Maunganui
England 241-4
Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28
New Zealand
Yet to bat
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
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The five pillars of Islam
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon