Kylian Mbappe rose to the occasion when France needed him most. After seeing his first-half penalty saved and being frustrated by Morocco’s disciplined defence for over an hour, the French captain finally broke the deadlock before Ousmane Dembele added a second just minutes later to seal a 2-0 victory and book France’s place in the FIFA World Cup semifinals. Les Bleus will now face the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium.
For long spells at Boston Stadium, Morocco looked capable of taking the contest deep into the game. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced another assured display, denying Mbappe from the penalty spot and frustrating the French attack with a series of important saves. But the Atlas Lions could not withstand the relentless pressure forever.
France dominated possession from the opening whistle and created the better chances. Mbappe tested Bounou inside the opening five minutes before Dayot Upamecano’s close-range header was comfortably saved. Desire Doue and Dembele also threatened as Didier Deschamps’ side pinned Morocco back for much of the first half.
The biggest opportunity arrived in the 26th minute.
Mbappe won a penalty after being brought down by Noussair Mazraoui inside the area. Following a lengthy VAR check, the Real Madrid forward stepped up, but his tame effort lacked both power and placement. Bounou guessed correctly and pushed the ball away, sparking huge celebrations among the Moroccan supporters.
Despite France registering ten attempts before the interval, Morocco held firm to reach half-time with the score still goalless.
The second half followed a similar pattern. France continued to control possession, while Morocco struggled to create meaningful opportunities on the counterattack.
The breakthrough finally came on the hour mark.
Receiving the ball just outside the penalty area, Mbappe shifted it onto his right foot before curling a superb effort beyond Bounou and into the top corner. It was the striker’s 20th World Cup goal and another reminder of his ability to decide the biggest matches.
Morocco barely had time to recover before France struck again.
Six minutes later, Dembele was allowed space to drive towards the edge of the box before firing a low shot that slipped through Bounou’s grasp and found the far corner, effectively ending the contest.
Deschamps then freshened up his side, handing Warren Zaire-Emery his World Cup debut, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Bradley Barcola also came on after Mbappe was substituted late in the match.
Morocco attempted to respond through substitutions and set-pieces, but Mike Maignan remained largely untested as the French defence comfortably protected its lead.
France’s only concern came when Mbappe appeared to pick up a knock before being withdrawn, although he walked off the pitch without requiring further assistance.
The victory keeps Les Bleus on course for another World Cup triumph, while Morocco bow out after another memorable tournament in which they once again demonstrated their defensive resilience and organisation against one of the world’s strongest attacking teams.
Also Read: Didier Deschamps: The Coach Redefining World Cup Greatness
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