France Advances to 2026 World Cup Semi-Finals After 2‑0 Win Over Morocco

France secured a 2‑0 victory over Morocco in Boston, earning a spot in the 2026 World Cup semi‑finals. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring after his penalty was saved, then finding the net with a precise finish. Ousmane Dembele sealed the win with a low curling shot that slipped past Yassine Bounou. The result moves France one step closer to the last four, while Morocco’s World Cup run ends in disappointment.

Key Moments of the Quarter‑Final

Mbappé’s early penalty was crucially saved by Bounou, but the Frenchman recovered immediately to break the deadlock. The save highlighted Bounou’s reputation as one of the world’s top keepers, yet he could not stop the follow‑up. Dembele’s second‑half strike came after a swift break, curling the ball into the bottom corner for the final margin. The goal showcased France’s attacking depth and kept the tempo high throughout the contest.

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Defensive Contributions

France’s back line kept the opposition at bay, with Jules Kounde providing valuable runs down the right flank to stretch Morocco’s defensive shape. William Saliba remained composed throughout, offering a solid presence in central defence. Lucas Digne, rated 7, delivered a shot that rattled the bar and supplied width on the left side. The image below captures Digne contesting the ball with Brahim Diaz during the match.

France Player Ratings

• Mike Maignan, 6: Kept a clean sheet with relative ease.
• Jules Kounde, 6: Made several runs down the right side, stretching Morocco’s defensive line.
• William Saliba, 6: Appeared unflustered in central defence throughout the match.
• Dayot Upamecano, 5: Missed a crucial header early and nearly forced an own goal later.
• Lucas Digne, 7: Delivered a shot that hit the bar and provided useful crosses on the left.
• Adrien Rabiot, 7: Controlled midfield tempo and contributed defensively with three interceptions.
• Manu Kone, 6: Delivered strong challenges to limit Morocco’s attacking opportunities.
• Ousmane Dembele, 8: Provided smart passing and seized his chance to score the second goal.
• Michael Olise, 7: Generated several electric moments, including a key through ball for Mbappé.
• Desire Doue, 6: Played sharply but struggled to convert a late run into a goal.
• Kylian Mbappé, 7: Missed a penalty but responded with a precise finish that opened the scoring.
• Substitutes: Zaire‑Emery 5; Mateta 5; Barcola 6; Gusto 5.

Morocco Player Ratings

• Yassine Bounou, 7: Saved the penalty and made several key stops, though a later mistake allowed Dembele’s goal.
• Achraf Hakimi, 6: Offered a solid defensive showing and engaged in a notable duel with Mbappé.
• Noussair Mazraoui, 4: Conflicted with Mbappé, leading to a penalty that impacted the game.
• Issa Diop, 5: Received a second‑half booking for a harsh body check on Mbappé.
• Anass Salah‑Eddine, 5: Faced a tough assignment at full‑back but kept Dembele relatively quiet.
• Ayyoub Bouaddi, 5: The teenager was unable to showcase his talent on this occasion.
• Neil El Aynaoui, 6: Recorded three tackles, a block and covered extensive ground.
• Azzedine Ounahi, 7: Made several tackles and tried to dictate play in midfield, despite limited success.
• Chemsdine Talbi, 4: Received few ball opportunities and surrendered possession a few times.
• Bilal El Khannouss, 5: Performed quietly throughout the match.
• Brahim Diaz, 6: Contributed with the ball but Morocco missed the injured Ismael Saibari as a focal point.
• Substitutes: Rahimi 5; Amrabat 5; El Ouahdi 5; Yassine 5; Sbai 5.

Mbappé’s Decisive Goal

Mbappé’s finish, which found the inside of the post, proved to be the difference maker and bolstered his standing in the Golden Boot race. The image below shows the moment he fired home France’s first goal.

France’s clean‑sheet victory not only secures a semi‑final berth but also reinforces their status as contenders for the 2026 title. Mbappé’s strike adds momentum to his pursuit of the Golden Boot, while Bounou’s save underscores Morocco’s defensive resolve. The Les Bleus will look to build on the solid defending and quick transitions shown in Boston when the next round begins. Fans can expect another high‑stakes clash as the tournament progresses deeper into the knockout stage.