The first 2026 World Cup semifinal spot has been clinched.
France eliminated Morocco 2-0 in their quarterfinal matchup in Boston on Thursday, as Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele got on the score sheet once again.
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Les Bleus took down the Atlas Lions with the same score in the 2022 World Cup semifinals. They will now await the winner of Spain vs. Belgium on Friday.
Both sides came in with much better quality than in 2022, though Morocco’s chances of an upset dropped with breakout striker Ismael Saibari unable to play due to a hamstring injury. He suffered it in the first half vs. Canada in the round of 16 and couldn’t make it in time.
Morocco shifted to using a false 9 instead, with Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz floating up top. But it was always going to be an uphill battle vs. dominant center-backs William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano.
The first half lacked thrilling moments as Morocco sat back to defend with low intensity in attack. The opening chance came from Mbappe drawing a penalty in the 28th minute.
Makeshift center-back Noussair Mazraoui clearly clipped Mbappe in the box, but a lengthy VAR review appeared to make an impact on the French star’s build up to the kick. After a stutter-step run up, veteran goalie Yassine Bounou had little issues saving the rather weak attempt.
There were three minutes and 11 seconds between Mbappe winning the penalty and taking it, according to stat provider Opta Analyst.
In the 34th minute, left winger Desire Doue stripped 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi in a dangerous spot. Doue drove all the way into the box, but his shot was too low and close to Bounou, who got a touch to put it wide.
Left-back Lucas Digne then tried to beat Bounou with a powerful kick from long range in added time, but it hit the crossbar and slightly went off the goalie’s fingers. It was given as a goal kick.
France went into the interval with three big chances and 1.87 expected goals, per data-tracking platform FotMob. But Les Bleus were emptyhanded. Morocco, for comparison’s sake, had just 0.04 after right-back Achraf Hakimi missed a free kick for the team’s first shot in added time.
The breakthrough eventually came for France at the hour mark. And it was a fitting source.
Mbappe scored his eighth goal of the 2026 tournament on a wonderful curler in traffic, with Bounou’s outstretched hands having no chance. Handball appeals by Morocco were unsuccessful.
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Dembele quickly made it 2-0 just six minutes later as Morocco opened up more in attack. On a quick transition, Mbappe laid it off to the two-footed Dembele. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner then cut the ball onto his “weaker” right foot and slotted home to the bottom right corner.
Bounou’s touch wasn’t enough to push it wide.
Mbappe then came out in the 77th minute with what appeared to be a precaution as he went down with a knock. He walked off and waved to the fans for a standing ovation.
France held onto win from there as Morocco just didn’t have enough threat from set pieces or long range.
Les Bleus ended with 3.05 expected goals to just a stunning 0.14 mark for the Atlas Lions. France logged 22 total shots to Morocco’s five. Les Bleus left at least a goal or two on the table, especially on the counter attack in the second half.
France will next take the field on Tuesday, July 14 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT in Arlington, Texas. Spain or Belgium are the possible opponents.
Spain took down France in the 2024 UEFA Euros as Lamine Yamal scored a sensational goal. Yamal is playing fresh off a hamstring injury and hasn’t looked at his best yet in his World Cup debut.
La Furia Roja also possess the defensive potential to limit France’s attack, as they have yet to concede a single goal so far. Unai Simon’s record of minutes passed without a conceded goal keeps extending, with 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri returning to peak form.
Belgium would need a stunning attacking performance to get past Spain. The Red Devils are coming off a 4-1 rout of USA, but La Furia Roja are a whole new level. Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku have not been as important so far, while Amadou Onana tore his ACL in the round of 16 contest.
Charles De Ketelaere recorded a brace for his first ever World Cup goals in that win, while veteran Romelu Lukaku had one off the bench. Leandro Trossard, Youri Tielemans and Thibaut Courtois are additonal key members in Rudi Garcia’s set up.
France won the 2018 World Cup vs. Croatia and lost in the final to Argentina in 2022.
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