France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the 2026 World Cup quarter-final on 10 July, advancing to the semi-finals for the third consecutive tournament. Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele scored the goals in a dominant second-half display at Gillette Stadium, Boston.
🔥 Quick Read
- France win 2-0, reach third straight World Cup semi-final
- Mbappe scores 8th goal, tops Golden Boot race
- Mbappe missed first-half penalty before scoring at 60′
- Dembele scored his 5th tournament goal at 66′
- Morocco exit; Issa Diop booked after fouling Mbappe
France’s Second-Half Double Ends Morocco’s Run Again
France entered as the clearly stronger side on paper, backed by a World Cup record of six wins from six in this tournament without extra time and their quality told after the interval. Morocco’s defence, marshalled by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, held firm for the first hour and were helped when Bounou saved Mbappe’s penalty in the first half, keeping the score level at half-time.
The match turned in a six-minute burst after the break. Mbappe, on his record-equalling 20th World Cup appearance for France, curled a shot into the far corner in the 60th minute for his eighth goal of the tournament.
Dembele then drove at the retreating Morocco defence and fired past Bounou at 66 minutes to end the contest. Mbappe was later substituted after picking up a knock, though it did not appear to be a serious concern at the time.
Penalty Miss, Then a Double Blow in Six Minutes
Mbappe’s saved first-half penalty, delayed by a three-minute VAR check, handed Morocco a lifeline they could not convert. The captain made amends at 60 minutes with a curled finish into the far corner.
Dembele compounded Morocco’s misery six minutes later, driving through the defence and squeezing a low shot past Bounou. Issa Diop was booked at 63 minutes after a foul on Mbappe that preceded the French captain’s second effort.
Dembele Shines as France’s Rated Player
Ousmane Dembele was rated the standout performer on the pitch. His tournament tally grew to five goals with his finish at 66 minutes, a direct, purposeful run at the Morocco back line, finishing with a low shot that Bounou got a hand to but could not stop.
Mbappe’s contribution eight goals and three assists in the tournament, kept him top of the Golden Boot standings ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi on goals, with his assist for Dembele’s strike making him the only player to record ten or more direct goal involvements at two different World Cups.
Ouahbi Eyes Rematch; France Await Spain or Belgium
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his team would aim to ‘eliminate France in four years time, a pointed acknowledgement that France have now beaten the Atlas Lions 2-0 in back-to-back World Cup knockout rounds, first in the 2022 semi-final and now at the last eight in 2026.
For Morocco, who beat the Netherlands on penalties and avoided defeat against Brazil in the group stage, the 2030 World Cup which they will co-host sets the horizon for another charge.
France, unbeaten through six matches in this tournament without once needing extra time, will face the winners of the Spain-Belgium quarter-final. Any fitness concern over Mbappe, who left the field with ice on his right ankle, will be closely monitored ahead of that semi-final.
France’s next assignment is Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals; Deschamps’ side will want a full squad available, with Mbappe’s fitness the one question mark to resolve.
