France Advances After Mbappé Double

Mbappé’s Late Burst

Kylian Mbappé broke a deadlock in the 60th minute, slotting a perfect shot into the right side of the net after cutting in from the left. Six minutes later he set up Ousmane Dembélé for the second goal, sealing a 2‑0 win and sending France to the World Cup semifinals for the third straight tournament. The strike was Mbappé’s eighth of the tournament, tying Lionel Messi for the top scorer.

Before the breakthrough France had fired 15 shots, four on target, but could not breach Morocco’s compact defense. After the opening goal the French pressure increased, and the Atlas Lions struggled to organize a meaningful response. Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made three saves in the opening half, including the penalty attempt.

A Missed Penalty

Mbappé was set up for a penalty in the 25th minute, but an extended video review delayed the kick by over three minutes. Upon taking the spot, he stuttered and struck the ball on the ground, which Bounou saved. The missed opportunity highlighted a rare lapse for the French captain in an otherwise dominant performance.

Despite the miss, France continued to dominate possession and attack, eventually breaking the deadlock through Mbappé’s quick thinking and finishing.

Morocco’s Experiment Without Saibari

Morocco’s tournament-hit striker Ismael Saibari suffered a hamstring injury in the Round of 16 against Canada and missed the quarterfinal. Without their injured forward, the Atlas Lions rotated attackers, alternating Brahim Díaz, Bilal El Khannouss and Achraf Hakimi up front. The fluid setup created a few dangerous moments, but the French defense recovered quickly each time.

In the first half the French side logged 16 touches inside the attacking box, while Morocco managed just a single entry. The mismatch underscored how crucial Saibari’s presence had been for Morocco’s offensive threat.

Key Stats and Cards

France recorded 15 shots in the first hour, with four directed on target, compared to Morocco’s solitary touch inside the box. The only yellow card fell to Issa Diop of Morocco in the 63rd minute after fouling Mbappé. The disciplinary action added pressure to an already strained Moroccan backline.

Belgium and Spain will decide which team France faces next, meeting on Friday at 3 p.m. in Los Angeles before the semifinal tilts to Arlington, Texas, on July 14.

Next Steps for France

The French squad now prepares for a semifinal showdown against either Belgium or Spain, with the winner advancing to a July 14 match at 3 p.m. local time in Arlington, Texas. Hostilities have intensified, and the team will look to sustain the momentum built through Foxborough.

France’s progression marks a solid return to the last four, building on previous tournament successes and reinforcing its status as a top contender heading into the knockout stage.