France secured their spot in the semi-finals of the World Cup 2026 with a decisive 2-0 victory over Morocco on Thursday at the Gillette Stadium in Boston. Kylian Mbappé scored his eighth goal of the tournament, followed by a finish from Ousmane Dembélé, propelling the French team to their third consecutive semi-final appearance.
Kylian Mbappé shines despite early penalty miss
In a match that tested France's resolve, Mbappé opened the scoring in the 60th minute after an initial setback where he missed a penalty in the first half. After being fouled by Noussair Mazraoui, Mbappé's penalty attempt was saved by Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Despite this, he showcased his talent with a stunning right-foot shot from the edge of the area.
Mbappé's goal came as France maintained relentless pressure throughout the match. Dembélé secured the win in the 66th minute, advancing the ball from midfield and delivering a low shot into the bottom corner, confirming France's dominance over a Morocco side that struggled to create opportunities.
Match highlights and statistics
The match statistics reflected France's control over the game. Morocco failed to register a single shot on target until the 83rd minute when Azzedine Ounahi's free-kick was parried away by Mike Maignan. Here are some key highlights:
- Final Score: France 2, Morocco 0
- Goals: Mbappé (60'), Dembélé (66')
- Penalty Miss: Mbappé (28')
- Shots on Goal: France 10, Morocco 1
Looking ahead: France's semi-final opponent
With this victory, France now prepares to face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas. Spain, who have not conceded a goal in the tournament, eliminated Portugal in the last 16, while Belgium advanced after a convincing 4-1 win over the United States.
As the tournament progresses, France looks to capitalize on their performance and build momentum towards a potential second consecutive World Cup title.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by France 24 World. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
