France advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Morocco at the Boston Stadium. A brilliant display in the second half from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé disrupted the Moroccan defence. Despite an impressive penalty in the first half saved by Yassine Bounou, France’s relentless pressure told. Didier Deschamps’ men now await the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Spain and Belgium.
A second-half medical surge drops the Atlas Lions to the sidelines
The complexion of the game was completely turned in a clinical window of six minutes in the second half. France broke the deadlock in the 60th minute through a moment of magic from Kylian Mbappé. After receiving a pass from Désiré Doué on the edge of the penalty area, the French captain made a brilliant save. Surrounded by three Moroccan shirts, Mbappé produced a stunning torque without stopping at the back, curling a brilliant right-footed shot around defender Issa Diop and inside the far post.
Kylian Mbappe (10) of France (10) celebrates after teammate Ousmane Dembele scored their second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match against Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) UPDATE: The team’s second goal, not the first, is scored by France’s Ousmane Dembambele.
Surprised by the opener, Morocco immediately made a tactical change, bringing on Sofyan Amrabat and Soufiane Rahimi. However, France struck again in the 66th minute.
France’s Ousmane Dembele (7) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Mbappé entered the heart of the defensive line, drawing defenders towards him to destroy the space. He made a timely jump to Ousmane Dembélé, who used the edge of the middle, took the ball slowly, and directed a right-footed shot to the bottom right. Bounou managed to hit the ball but was unable to stop it from hitting the back of the net.
The first disappointment is the phone call
France dominated for much of the opening 45 minutes, achieving an impressive 1.87 goals against (xG) and preventing Morocco from registering a single try. Les Bleus threatened within four minutes when Mbappé’s deflection off a low drive flashed inches wide. From the ensuing corner, Dayot Upamecano looked great to clear a close-range header, which required a block from the Moroccan defender.
France’s Dayot Upamecano (4) tries to head the ball as Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (1) stands up during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The most famous sign of the first half came in the 26th minute. Mbappé launched a signature drive on the left, forcing Noussair Mazraoui to make a difficult challenge inside the penalty box.
Morocco’s Noussair Mazraoui (3) takes a penalty as he tackles France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) to set up a shot during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Following a lengthy VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot. Mbappé stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was off target. Yassine Bounou read it well, diving to his left to collect the ball and keep a temporary clean sheet for the Atlas Lions.
Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (1) is stopped for a shot against France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) during a World Cup quarterfinal match in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Bounou’s heroics against the constant pressure of France
Morocco’s system of play relied heavily on deep defense and structural pressure. Standing like a titanium wall in the middle of the process was goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who recorded seven important saves. Bounou frustrated the French frontline time and time again, fending off long-range efforts from Michael Olise and Adrien Rabiot.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (1) saves a penalty kick by France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) during the World Cup soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Despite falling two goals behind, Bounou kept the scoreline respectable. In the 89th minute, Bradley Barcola led a quick attack, but Bounou denied him and stopped it with one hand.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou dives for a save during the World Cup soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
In stoppage time, Jean-Philippe Mateta made a smart move in the area to free himself, Bounou just fired the final shot. While Morocco maintained 52% of possession in their defensive half, they lacked a pass in the absence of the injured Ismael Saibari. Brahim Díaz had a hard time with Manu Koné, leaving Morocco with just one shot in five shots.
Mbappé is chasing the Golden Boot and World Cup record
Despite missing the penalty, Kylian Mbappé’s performance further cemented his reputation as a World Cup icon of all time. His superb 60th-minute strike marked his eighth goal of the 2026 tournament, moving him level with Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot charts.
France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) jumps with his teammates after Ousmane Dembele scores their second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match against Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) EDIT: He prepares for the team’s second goal, not the first by Deepelelian, not France’s Mbapmbele.
Incredibly, Mbappé has reached the milestone of 20 goals in just 20 World Cup appearances, leaving the likes of Brazil’s Ronaldo (15), Pelé (12) and Diego Maradona (8) behind him. He also became the first player in football history to score eight or more goals in two separate World Cups. The only blemish on his night came in the 77th minute, when he was substituted with a minor knock on his foot. He spent the final minutes on the bench with an ice pack, although France’s staff expected him to be fit for the next round.
Semifinal Outlook: Road to Dallas
By eliminating Morocco, France secured their place in the third consecutive semifinal of the World Cup. They are now just two wins away from becoming only the third country in history to play in three consecutive World Cup finals, a feat already accomplished by Germany and Brazil. Les Bleus will fly to Dallas for the semifinal match on Tuesday, July 14, where they will face either the European heavyweights Spain or the dangerous Belgium team.