France secured their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over Morocco in Boston. Second-half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele ensured Les Bleus advanced to the last four, where they will face either Spain or Belgium.
Mbappe’s strike was his eighth of the tournament, drawing him level with Lionel Messi at the top of the goalscoring standings in the race for the Golden Boot. Dembele later added his fifth goal of the World Cup to put the result beyond doubt.
Morocco had hoped to reach a second consecutive World Cup semi-final, but, as in 2022, their campaign was ended by France, who once again denied the African side a place among the final four.
France recover after missed penalty
Les Bleus threatened from the opening minutes and almost took the lead after four minutes when Dayot Upamecano met a cross with a free header from six yards, only for Yassine Bounou to make the save. Moments earlier, the Moroccan goalkeeper had also denied Mbappe from distance.
France were then awarded a penalty midway through the first half after Noussair Mazraoui fouled Mbappe inside the area. Following a delay of almost three minutes before the kick was taken, the French forward struck his effort low to the right, but Bounou guessed correctly and comfortably kept it out.
The French side continued to create the better opportunities before the interval, with Bounou again producing an important stop by getting down quickly to deny Desire Doue from inside the penalty area.
Second-half pressure brings rewards
Morocco began the second half with greater attacking intent and produced their first chance from open play when Brahim Diaz broke forward, although his effort was blocked before it could trouble the French defence.
France eventually found the breakthrough on the hour mark after regaining possession. Doue supplied Mbappe, who unleashed a powerful shot from 18 yards that flew into the far corner beyond Bounou’s outstretched dive.
Only six minutes later, the holders doubled their advantage. Dembele collected the ball in midfield and surged towards the penalty area, while Mbappe’s movement drew defenders away, allowing the Paris Saint-Germain winger to fire a low finish into the bottom-right corner despite another effort from Bounou to prevent the goal.
The two-goal victory sent France safely into the semi-finals, where they now await the winner of the quarter-final between Spain and Belgium.