France booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a composed 2–0 victory over Morocco on Thursday, with Kylian Mbappé once again proving why he remains one of football’s biggest stars. The French captain scored once and set up another as Les Bleus took another confident step towards reclaiming the world title.
Morocco, buoyed by an impressive campaign and determined to keep their dream alive, frustrated the former champions for much of the opening half. The Atlas Lions defended with discipline and nearly reached the break on level terms, thanks largely to goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who produced a superb save to deny Mbappé from the penalty spot and keep France at bay.
France eventually found the breakthrough in the 60th minute when Mbappé made amends for his earlier penalty miss with a clinical finish that finally broke Morocco’s resistance. Just six minutes later, the forward turned provider, setting up Ousmane Dembélé, who calmly finished in the 66th minute to double France’s advantage and put the match beyond the North Africans’ reach.
Despite the setback, Morocco continued to fight until the final whistle, pushing forward in search of a way back into the contest. However, France’s experienced defence remained composed and denied the Atlas Lions any clear-cut opportunities. After 90 minutes, plus stoppage time, the final whistle confirmed France’s place in the tournament’s last four.
Mbappé’s performance once again underlined his importance to Didier Deschamps’ side. Although he endured the disappointment of seeing his first-half penalty saved, the 27-year-old responded in style by scoring France’s opener and creating the second goal, delivering when his team needed him most.
While Morocco’s World Cup journey comes to an end, the Atlas Lions depart the tournament with their heads held high after another spirited campaign that showcased their resilience and continued rise in international football. France, meanwhile, will now shift their attention to the semi-finals as they continue their quest for a third FIFA World Cup title.
