FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts — Kylian Mbappe scored and helped propel France to a 2-0 victory over Morocco in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, sending the defending finalists into a third consecutive World Cup semi-final on Thursday.
Mbappe broke the deadlock in the second half after France had dominated possession but failed to convert several opportunities before the interval. Ousmane Dembele added a second goal six minutes later to secure the result and end Morocco's tournament run.
France had been awarded a first-half penalty, but Mbappe was denied from the spot as Morocco stayed level before the break. Didier Deschamps' side maintained sustained pressure after halftime and eventually found the breakthrough, with Mbappe responding to the earlier miss by opening the scoring.
The victory keeps France on course for a third straight appearance in the World Cup final four, extending a run of consistency under Deschamps that has included the 2018 title and a runner-up finish in 2022. France will face the winner of the quarter-final between Spain and Belgium in the semi-finals scheduled for July 14.
Deschamps praised his players' discipline and resilience after the match, saying the team had remained composed despite wasting several early chances. He also highlighted the contributions of younger members of the squad while emphasizing that France must stay focused with tougher challenges ahead.
The France coach also commended Mbappe's response after the missed penalty, describing his captain's performance as exemplary. Mbappe was substituted late in the match after experiencing minor ankle discomfort, though reports indicated the issue was not considered serious.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi acknowledged France's quality after the defeat, saying his side had been beaten by a team with exceptional depth and attacking talent. He said Morocco's back-to-back appearances in the World Cup quarter-finals represented progress and expressed confidence in the national team's long-term development.
Mbappe's goal moved him level with Lionel Messi atop the tournament's Golden Boot standings on eight goals, adding another milestone to an already prolific World Cup campaign for the France captain.
France now advances to the semi-finals seeking another opportunity to compete for the World Cup title, while Morocco exits the tournament after another deep run on the global stage.
