Al Khor, Qatar - France ended the fairytale run of Morocco 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the FIFA World Cup final where they face Lionel Messi's Argentina in their bid to become the first team in 60 years to win back-to-back titles.

Defender Theo Hernández volleyed France ahead in the fifth minute and Randal Kolo Muani wrapped up matters in the 79th, less than a minute after coming on, after a fine solo from Kylian Mbappé.

But so was Morocco's Jawad El Yamiq on the stroke of halftime as the Atlas Lions fought bravely but also showed some unfamiliar weakness in defense after letting in just one goal in the previous five games en route to becoming the first team from Africa in the final four.

France is the sixth nation to reach successive World Cup finals, the others being Italy (1934, 1938), Brazil (twice: 1958, 1962 and 1994, 1998, 2002), the Netherlands (1974, 1978), West Germany (1982, 1986, 1990) and Argentina (1986, 1990).

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Only Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962 have clinched back-to-back titles. Should France win, Didier Deschamps – who was a player when France won their first title in 1998 – will join Italy's Vittorio Pozzo as the only coach to win two World Cups in a row.

The 1978 and 1986 champions Argentina beat 2018 runners-up Croatia 3-0 in the first semifinal on Tuesday and Messi now hopes to take home the trophy in his fifth and final attempt in what will be a big duel with his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Mbappé.

Four years ago, France beat Argentina 4-3 in the last 16 en route to the 2018 title, after losing the first two World Cup dates between the two in 1930 and 1978.

The two teams will face off in the World Cup finals for the 2022 title on Sunday at 10 AM EST on Fox and Telemundo Deportes.

Morocco and Croatia will play for third place on Saturday at 10 AM EST on Fox and Telemundo Deportes.