World Cup 2022: Mbappe’s Message to Hakimi As Morocco Exits Tournament

• Kylian Mbappe has sent a heartfelt message to his friend and PSG club teammate Hakimi
• Mbappe's France beat Hakimi's Morocco 2-0 to secure a place in the 2022 World Cup final
• Despite the loss, Morocco became the first African team to make the semifinals
• Morocco face Croatia on Saturday for a third-place playoff

Morocco's 2022 World Cup fairy tale came to a painful end as reigning champions France knocked them out of the competition on Wednesday night.

Kylian Mbappe consoled his friend and club teammate Achraf Hakimi after the match and even exchanged jerseys in a heartwarming moment after the game.

The Atlas Lions were looking to make more history to become the first African nation to play at the World Cup final ahead of the game.

They had made history by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-final, only the third team outside of Europe and South America to achieve that feat, per DW.

Ghana's World Cup squad in 2022: Who is in, out, and why?

Football

France demonstrated their nous and experience on the biggest stage to win 2-0 despite the African nation dominating the ball. Mbappe wasn't as impressive as usual as he didn't have to be.

Goals from Theo Hernandez early in the game and a late tap-in from Randal Kolo Muani sealed the deal for France.

Mbappe's message to Hakimi

The showdown between Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi was hyped in the build-up to the game, and it did not disappoint.

Hakimi did well against the rapid France winger. However, Mbappe was instrumental in both of France's goals, which shows how important he is to his country, per Eurosport.

Mbappe took to Twitter to console his friend Hakimi and PSG teammate.

"Don’t be sad bro, everybody is proud of what you did, you made history."❤️

France star Mbappe risks FIFA sanction

Football

The 23-year-old PSG superstar is on track to win the Golden Boot in Qatar, but Lionel Messi is his competition for the crown.

Walid Regragui's side have a chance to finish the tournament on a high when they play Croatia for the third-place playoff.

Despite their elimination, Morocco earned plaudits from all over the globe for their impressive display at the tournament. The two France goals were the first they conceded from an opposition player in Qatar.

Their semi-final run saw them beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal, heavyweights in football.

Mbappe and Hakimi's bromance

Sports Brief earlier reported Mbappe and Hakimi sharing a warm embrace before their countries' semi-final showdown.

Their bromance transcends beyond sporting rivalry as the duo put aside the seriousness of their semifinal clash to share a warm embrace.

The pair also shared messages in the build-up to the mouth-watering encounter but with football one team has to win and that was Mbappe's France.