After a fairytale run at the tournament, Morocco's World Cup dream was ended at the hands of France this evening.
The African nation have been the biggest story to emerge in Qatar, defying all expectations by reaching the final four. Having entered the event with few plaudits, they would end up topping a group that contained Croatia, Belgium, and Canada.
They would go on to eliminate Spain and Portugal in the knockout rounds, although the game against the French would prove to be a bridge too far.
Morocco still performed well in the game, although an early goal from Theo Hernandez was bookended by a late strike from Randal Kolo Muani to ensure a 2-0 victory for the defending champions.
🇫🇷 2-0 🇲🇦
Randal Kolo Muani, only on the field as a sub, puts France 2-0 up and they are surely heading for the final#FRAMAR
📺Watch live on @RTE2 & @RTEplayer - https://t.co/2W5kFtUOPc
📱 Live updates - https://t.co/Z8yTLknHT8 #RTEsoccer #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/omRzCvBAnX— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 14, 2022
They will now face Argentina in the final on Sunday.
Didi Hamann aims Cristiano Ronaldo dig after Morocco exit
This will be a disappointing night for Morocco, although they will no doubt be massively proud to have reached this point.
Despite being heartbroken at their exit, they made a point to go around and congratulate their opponents on reaching the final, before then thanking their supporters for the incredible support they have given them over the last few weeks.
What an atmosphere! Well done Morocco and a massive congratulations to France 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Nice moment between Mbappe and Hakimi at the end! ❤️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/gpYv6MNUIl— Kaylyn Kyle (@KaylynKyle) December 14, 2022
Didi Hamann couldn't help but notice the contrast in their actions to those of Cristiano Ronaldo, who stormed down the tunnel and failed to speak to the Moroccan players after Portugal's loss in the quarter-final.
Cristiano Ronaldo Crying after losing quarter Finals #FIFAWorldCup #anipoke #CristianoRonaldo pic.twitter.com/x2vnu5umlv
— Anipoke Clash (@Anipoke_Clash) December 11, 2022
Speaking on RTÉ, Hamann aimed a dig at the Portuguese star as he commended Morocco on their behaviour tonight and throughout the tournament.
FT 🇫🇷 2-0 🇲🇦
"I think they, in a way, brought the human side back to this World Cup..." - Didi Hamann pays tribute to Morocco after their defeat to France #FRAMAR
📺Watch the final live on @RTE2 & @RTEplayer this Sunday #RTEsoccer #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lOq1MlBYaF— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 14, 2022
They have been an absolute credit to their country, to the continent, and the Arab world.
In a way, I think they brought the human side back to this World Cup. You talk about these superstars, top players and top earners.
If you think about one of the greatest players who left the scene a week ago in Ronaldo, he couldn't even congratulate them at the end of the game. They won that game and have done something historic, and he didn't even have the dignity to congratulate them on what they had achieved.
Now you watch them and they shook hands with the French, the dignity and graciousness they have shown in defeat is brilliant.
It gives me goosebumps looking at these images because they have been a breath of fresh air. I'm delighted for the team, not that they lost today, but what they achieved was historic.
They just fell short today, they lacked the cutting edge up front. They just came up against a team that was a bit too streetwise for them.
Ronaldo certainly hasn't covered himself in glory during this tournament.
As for Morocco, they will take a huge amount away from their performances over the last few weeks. They became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final and won themselves plenty of new supporters along the way.
SEE ALSO: BBC Continuing To Talk About England's Exit Didn't Sit Well With Viewers
