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last mo.

France Beat Morocco 2-0 to Reach World Cup Semi‑Finals

The win keeps Les Bleus on course for a third world title, handing Kylian Mbappé a chance to overtake Lionel Messi’s World Cup finals scoring record.

Kyllian Mbappé lors du match affrontant la France et le Maroc. [AFP]
Le défenseur marocain Achraf Hakimi au duel avec le capitaine français Kylian Mbappe lors du quart de finale de Coupe du monde entre la France et le Maroc au Boston Stadium de Foxborough le 9 juillet 2026
Photomontage de l'Espagnol Lamine Yamal (g) et du Belge Leandro Trossard
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Overview

  • France defeated Morocco 2-0 at Gillette Stadium on Thursday to advance to the semi‑finals and secure a place in the last four.
  • Kylian Mbappé missed an early penalty but scored in the 60th minute and Ousmane Dembélé added a second goal six minutes later to seal the victory.
  • Mbappé’s goal is his eighth of this tournament and his 20th in World Cup finals play, leaving him one behind Lionel Messi’s record of 21.
  • Didier Deschamps started Manu Koné in midfield with Aurélien Tchouaméni still recovering from an adductor problem, while Morocco were without top scorer Ismael Saibari because of injury.
  • The win preserves France’s bid for a third world title, moves Deschamps closer to the end of his contract narrative at the tournament, and follows Morocco’s recent emergence as a leading international side since 2022.