Violent confrontations involving fans of both sides and police broke out after the semi-final (Picture: AFP)

A boy has been killed in clashes which broke out after last night’s World Cup semi-final between France and Morocco.

Riot police had to be deployed in some areas after fans were involved in violent street confrontations.

France ended Morocco’s historic run in the tournament last night with a 2-0 win despite a spirited performance from the underdogs. 

Police had preempted disturbances before the match kicked off because of the close and complex ties between the two countries.

There are more than one million people in France with Moroccan heritage, a legacy of decades of French rule in parts of North Africa.

Morocco became the first African and first Arab team to ever reach such an advanced stage of the tournament.

The fatal incident happened in the southern city of Montpellier, local officials said.

An unnamed child was punched by a motorist after the game and died after being rushed to hospital.

Fans clashed with police in Paris after the final whistle (Picture: Anadolu)

The highly charged match put the complicated and deep ties between the two countries in the spotlight (Picture: Getty)

A statement issued by the local government in Hérault said: ‘A young boy was violently hit this Wednesday evening in Montpellier by a driver, following the semi-final match of the football world cup. 

‘Transferred to the hospital in absolute emergency, he died shortly after his medical treatment.

‘My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. The vehicle was found near the scene of the accident and placed in receivership. 

‘The police investigation is progressing rapidly under the direction of the prosecution.’

Large number of police were deployed across French cities prior to the game (Picture: Reuters)

One video, shared by French daily newspaper Midi Libre, shows fireworks and flares being flung across a square in Montpellier.

People can be seen darting for cover as the projectiles are thrown.

Others were seen scaling a monument in the footage while grasping onto red flares.

Following the result, France are now one match away from defending their World Cup crown.

They will take on Argentina in the final on Sunday.

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Violence broke out in the southern city of Montpellier after the World Cup semi-final.