FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 : France Powers Past Morocco into World Cup Semifinals
France delivered a commanding performance to defeat Morocco 2-0 in the first quarterfinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, advancing to the semifinals for the third tournament in a row.
The match, played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, saw Les Bleus dominate possession and chances despite a resilient Atlas Lions defence. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé provided the decisive moments in the second half, showcasing France's attacking depth under coach Didier Deschamps.
The first half remained goalless after Mbappé missed a penalty, which was saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. France maintained pressure, but Morocco held firm. Early in the second half, Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 60th minute with a superb curling shot into the far corner for his eighth goal of the tournament. Just six minutes later, he turned provider, setting up Dembélé who fired a low shot past Bounou to make it 2-0. The goals effectively ended Morocco's resistance in a match where France enjoyed clear superiority.
Morocco, who reached the semifinals in 2022, fought hard but created few clear opportunities. France's victory marks their continued strong run, with Mbappé now boasting an impressive World Cup record. The result highlights the gap in quality on the day, though Morocco can take pride in another competitive campaign ahead of co-hosting the 2030 tournament.
France will now face the winner of Spain versus Belgium in the semifinals. This matchup promises high stakes as Les Bleus chase a potential final appearance and another star on their jersey. The win keeps alive their hopes of giving Deschamps a memorable send-off while cementing their status as one of the tournament favourites.
