Credited from: NPR
France triumphed over Morocco with a solid 2-0 victory in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026, securing their place in the semifinals. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring with a stunning shot in the 60th minute after missing an earlier penalty. His goal marked his eighth of the tournament, putting him level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, according to NPR, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.
The match began with Morocco remaining resilient in defense despite France's pressure. Mbappé won a penalty in the 25th minute after being brought down, but his kick was saved by Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. "Mbappé's weak spot-kick was easily saved," noted analysts, highlighting Bounou's effectiveness in the first half. However, France's performance continued to dominate, culminating in a breakthrough goal from Mbappé, according to NPR and Le Monde.
Shortly after, in the 66th minute, Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead, allowing France to secure a comfortable win. His goal came after he skillfully navigated through Morocco's defense, a notable contrast to the lackluster offensive response from Morocco, which registered no shots on target until the 83rd minute. Observers noted that France appeared in control throughout, with coach Didier Deschamps's strategy proving effective, as reported by Al Jazeera and Le Monde.
With this victory, France advances to face either Spain or Belgium in the semifinals, aiming for a potential third consecutive final appearance. As they proceed, Mbappé's performance continues to solidify his status in the tournament, with the team's tactical prowess on full display, according to NPR, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.