The 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinals concluded as France beat Morocco 2-0, courtesy Theo Hernandez' early opener followed by Randal Kolo Muani's late goal.
By The Numbers has the best stats from the sole World Cup match played on Wednesday:
France 2-0 Morocco
21
Antoine Griezmann (21) overtook Lionel Messi (18) as the player who's created the most chances in this World Cup. Griezmann became the first Frenchman to create 20 chances at a single World Cup since Youri Djorkaeff created exactly 20 in 1998. He is also the first Frenchman with more than 20 chances created at a World Cup since Alain Giresse created 24 in 1986.
1
Theo Hernandez was the first opposition player to score against Morocco in this World Cup, as well as the first player to score against Morocco since manager Walid Regragui took over. He became the third French defender to have both scored and assisted in a single World Cup, after Marius Tresor in 1982 and Bixente Lizarazu in 1998.
4
Since 1966, no country has had more semifinal goals scored by defenders than France (4). Theo Hernández became the third French defender to score in a World Cup semifinal (Lilian Thuram in 1998, Samuel Umtiti in 2018)
Theo Hernández #FRA scores the quickest goal (5') in a #FIFAWorldCup Semifinal since Vavá #BRA in 1958 vs France (2').#MAR Morocco has never won a WC match in which it conceded first (0-8-1 W-L-D). pic.twitter.com/J5wm4yHzKt
- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 14, 2022
0
France have never lost a World Cup game they've led at half-time. Including this game, they've won 26 and drawn one.
44
Randal Kolo Muani's goal (scored with his first touch) 44 seconds after coming into the match was the 3rd-fastest by a substitute in WC history. Uruguay's Richard Morales (16 sec in 2002) and Denmark's Ebbe Sand (26 sec in 1998) were the only ones to score quicker.
5
Kylian Mbappe is the only Frenchman to have completed 5+ dribbles in a World Cup match across the last two editions - he's done it five times.
20
Kylian Mbappe completed 20 1v1 take-ons for his second World Cup in a row. Since 1966, the only other players to complete 20 1v1 take-ons in multiple World Cups are Lionel Messi (3 times: 2010, 2014, 2018), Eden Hazard (2 times: 2014, 2018) and Diego Maradona (2 times: 1982, 1986).
#FRA France is the 5th defending champion to reach the #FIFAWorldCup Final and 1st since #BRA Brazil in 1998.
France seeks to be the 1st repeat men's WC champion since Brazil (1958-62). pic.twitter.com/BzKXxM79ys
- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 14, 2022
51
All-action midfielder, Sofyan Amrabat recovered the ball 51 times during this World Cup, the most of any African player ever (1966 onwards).
3
Youssef En-Nesyri left the game having made just 3 touches. En-Nesyri became the first player to play at least 60 minutes in a World Cup game and have fewer than 5 touches since at least 1966 (available data).
4
Didier Deschamps is the fourth manager to lead a nation to back-to-back World Cup finals. [Vittorio Pozzo with Italy (1934, 1938), Carlos Bilardo with Argentina (1986, 1990), Franz Beckenbauer with Germany (1986, 1990)]
5
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are tied at the top of the goal-scoring charts with five goals each - never before have two club teammates finished 1-2 in the World Cup Golden Boot race. Julian Alvarez and Olivier Giroud are also in contention with four goals each.
#FRA France's win guarantees that a team will get its 3rd #FIFAWorldCup title on Sunday.
France eliminated #ARG Argentina in the 2018 WC Round of 16 (4-3) after the "Albiceleste" won the two prior WC meetings (1978 & 1930). pic.twitter.com/gKDm4HEhdi
- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 14, 2022
(Stats courtesy: ESPN Stats and Information Group)