AL KHOR, Qatar — Kylian Mbappé versus Lionel Messi.
Soccer’s latest superstar against perhaps the sport’s greatest player in the World Cup final so many were hoping for.
France and Mbappé are headed back to the biggest game in soccer — and to a highly anticipated matchup with Argentina — after ending Morocco’s historic run at the World Cup on Wednesday.
In front of the country’s president, Emmanuel Macron, France beat Africa’s first ever semifinalist 2-0, with Mbappé playing a part in goals by Theo Hernandez in the fifth minute and substitute Randal Kolo Muani in the 79th.
Mbappé became a global phenomenon by leading France to the title in Russia in 2018 and has a chance to emulate Brazil great Pelé as a champion in his first two World Cups when he goes up against the 35-year-old Messi — who, along with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, has dominated the sport for the past 15 years.