NEW DELHI: Kylian Mbappe bounced back from a rare penalty miss to inspire France to beat Morocco 2-0 and book a spot in the FIFA World Cup semifinals for the third consecutive tournament. However, the win came with some worries for France after Mbappe was sent off in the 77th minute with an ankle injury. The actor later assured fans that the matter was not serious. “I knocked my elbow, but I’m fine,” said Mbappé, who was replaced by Jean-Philippe Mateta. “At this point, JP was better than I needed to play in the final minutes.”
Mbappe recovers after missing penalty
Mbappe had a frustrating time in the first half when he missed a penalty. Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the right decision and saved Noussair Mazraoui’s foul on Mbappe inside the box in the 28th minute.France coach Didier Deschamps heard the remote VAR review before the penalty went to his player.“Kylian was ready to shoot,” said Deschamps. “I don’t want to find excuses for Kylian, but this was not easy. … We have to change.”Mbappe changed in the second half. In the 60th minute, he entered the field of play and fired a powerful shot inside the post to score his eighth goal of the tournament.Six minutes later, he set up Ousmane Dembele for France’s second goal as the two players sealed their place in the last four, where they will face either Spain or Belgium.
The risk of injury to France
France suffered a shock shortly after Mbappe’s goal when Moroccan midfielder Issa Diop stepped on the ball in the 63rd minute.Although Mbappe tried to continue, he eventually felt pain and signed to the bench. After treatment, he was replaced and watched the rest of the game with ice on his right ankle.Deschamps eased his worries after the game.“I have a little pain in the groin,” said France coach Didier Deschamps. “Nothing serious.”
Golden Boot competition warm up
Mbappe’s goals took him to eighth at the 2026 World Cup, leveling him with Argentina captain Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Mbappe is currently in the lead because he has the most assists, which is the last.The goal was also his 20th in 20 World Cup appearances, leaving him just one behind Messi’s all-time World Cup tally of 21 goals.
A change of heart to the semifinals
Despite reaching the final of the World Cup, Mbappe insisted that France are not satisfied.“There is only one way to relax, and that is to win,” said Mbappé. “Until we do this, we will not stop. We are in the semifinals and we are very happy, but there is still a long way to go. We realize that what lies ahead is more difficult than what we have been through, but we are ready to face anything.”France have now reached the semifinals of three consecutive World Cups with Mbappe in the group and will look to continue that run when they face either Spain or Belgium for a place in the final.
