Randal Kolo Muani’s first goal for France could not have been any more memorable.
The striker came on in the 79th minute of Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal with France holding on to a 1-0 lead over Morocco. Within 44 seconds, Kolo Muani had scored the goal that clinched the game and put France into the final.
Kylian Mbappé did much of the build-up work in the box, showing some excellent close control before getting off a shot that was deflected right into the path of Kolo Muani.
The Eintracht Frankfurt was alert on the back post and converted with his first touch of the game, putting the match out of reach for Morocco and putting France in the World Cup final for the second straight tournament.
Kolo Muani was making just his fourth France appearance, and second of the World Cup. It will be an appearance the 24-year-old will never forget, as he scored the third-quickest goal for a substitute in men’s World Cup history.
44 – Randal Kolo Muani has scored the third-quickest goal for a substitute in World Cup history (44 seconds after coming on), only behind Morales in 2002 (16 seconds) and Sand in 1998 (26 seconds). Quick. pic.twitter.com/3x3ePscG24
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) December 14, 2022
France would go on to win the match 2-0 and will face Argentina in the final on Sunday.
“It’s magical, I don’t have the words to describe it,” Kolo Muani told TF1 after the game. “We have to give ourselves the means to go all the way. I’m still in a dream, I’m finding it hard to wake up. It’s a good thing I followed Kylian, he’s the one who did all the work. I can be proud of my positioning. Right now it still hasn’t sunk in. We’ll realize it tomorrow morning.”
Watch Kolo Muani’s goal vs. Morocco
FRANCE MAKES IT TWO 🇫🇷
Randal Kolo Muani scores his first international goal for France 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kTND4IeiUO
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 14, 2022
