France booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 2-0 victory over Morocco, thanks to second-half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.
The reigning European giants ended Morocco’s remarkable World Cup journey at Gillette Stadium, with Didier Deschamps’ side proving too strong for the Atlas Lions despite another outstanding performance from goalkeeper Yassine Bono.
Bono frustrates France in dominant first half
France made a blistering start and nearly opened the scoring inside four minutes. Dayot Upamecano rose highest to meet a dangerous cross, but Bono produced an excellent save to keep out the defender’s low header.
Les Bleus continued to dominate possession and create chances, pinning Morocco deep inside their own half.
The breakthrough appeared imminent midway through the first half when referee Facundo Tello awarded France a penalty after Noussair Mazraoui was adjudged to have committed a foul inside the area.
Kylian Mbappe stepped up from the spot, looking to put France ahead, but Bono guessed correctly and brilliantly denied the France captain with another outstanding save.
Morocco’s goalkeeper continued his heroics in the 35th minute, producing another fine stop to keep out Desire Doue after the young winger burst into the penalty area.
France came within inches of taking the lead just before half-time when Lucas Digne unleashed a powerful long-range effort that crashed off the crossbar.
Mbappe breaks the deadlock
Morocco’s resistance was finally broken in the 60th minute.
Mbappe picked up possession outside the penalty area before driving forward and calmly firing a low effort inside the right post to hand France a deserved lead.
The goal was Mbappe’s latest decisive contribution in another impressive World Cup campaign.
Dembele puts the result beyond doubt
France doubled their advantage just six minutes later.
Mbappe turned provider this time, slipping a pass to Ousmane Dembele on the edge of the penalty area. Although the Paris Saint-Germain forward did not strike the ball cleanly, his effort found the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0.
Morocco pushed for a way back into the contest but struggled to break down a disciplined French defence as Les Bleus comfortably saw out the victory.
The result brings an end to another memorable World Cup campaign for Morocco, whose performances once again earned admiration from football fans around the world and further showcased the growing strength of African football on the global stage.
France, meanwhile, move one step closer to a third FIFA World Cup title and will now face the winner of the quarter-final clash between Belgium and Spain in the semi-finals.
