France Beat Morocco 2-0 to Reach World Cup Semifinals; Mbappe, Dembele Strike
Goals by Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele helped France secure a 2-0 victory over Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal at Gillette Stadium in Boston. France, aiming for a third World Cup title, advanced to the semifinals and will now face the winner of the quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium, scheduled for Friday (Saturday 12:30 am IST).
Mbappe opened the scoring in the 60th minute, and Dembele doubled the lead just six minutes later. While Morocco had nearly equal possession for much of the game, they struggled to create clear chances. France looked more dangerous throughout, and Morocco were fortunate not to fall behind earlier when Mbappe missed a penalty in the 28th minute.
The penalty was awarded after Noussair Mazraoui brought down Mbappe inside the box in the 25th minute. Mazraoui did not contest the decision, and the referee pointed to the spot. However, a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check lasting over three minutes delayed the kick. When Mbappe finally took it, his shot was tame and easily saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Despite the missed penalty, France continued to press and eventually broke through. Mbappe made amends with a composed finish in the 60th minute, and Dembele added a second with a well-placed shot in the 66th minute. Morocco pushed for a consolation goal but could not breach the French defence.
France's victory sets up a semifinal clash against either Spain or Belgium. The French team has shown resilience and depth, with key players stepping up at crucial moments. Morocco, despite their spirited campaign, could not overcome the defending champions.
