Morocco’s World Cup journey came to an end as France progress to the final, but the North African side have not only set records in this tournament, they have also been an inspiration for how to approach football as an underdog.

The scoreline read 2-0 at full-time and on paper it might’ve sounded like France simply got the job done, but Morocco made them sweat for much of the game. France score early but then Morocco enjoyed most of the chances and put the pressure on, even after Muabi scored a second late on. 

In these kind of games where one the tournament favourites plays a team that nobody expected to go so far, you often see the underdogs set up to defend and sit back inviting pressure, hoping to snatch a goal. Bu Morocco played with confidence and were on the front foot, as they were for much of the tournament that saw them knock out Belgium in the group stage, as well beating Spain and Portugal in the knockout rounds.

France was a step too far for them but when those Morocco players collapsed to the floor at the full-time whistle they knew, and everybody watching knew, that they had left everything on the field.

Now we look forward to the final were the defending champions France play Argentina on Sunday, with Messi hoping to get his hands on the one trophy that has so far escaped him. It should be a good game and while France haven’t been at their best, they have still been winning which shows how difficult they are to beat, especially when they have the top man Mbappe who is hoping to do the double.

It should be an exciting final whatever happens with two of the biggest football nations both competing for their third world cup trophy. #mmlove