Kylian Mbappé delivered one of the moments of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday, curling a stunning right-footed strike past Yassine Bounou to put France ahead against Morocco at Gillette Stadium outside Boston, before Ousmane Dembélé sealed a 2-0 victory that sends Les Bleus into the semi-finals for the third consecutive tournament.
Mbappé's masterclass puts France in control
The first half was largely a tale of frustration for France. Morocco, competing as African champions and widely regarded as a genuine threat, held firm and frustrated the European side for the opening 45 minutes. The closest France came to breaking the deadlock before the break was a penalty on 28 minutes, won by Mbappé after he was brought down by Noussair Mazraoui. However, after a lengthy delay caused by a VAR review, the 27-year-old's spot-kick was poorly struck and saved comfortably by Bounou.
The breakthrough finally arrived on the hour mark. Mbappé received a deflected ball at the top of the penalty area and, showing the composure that has defined his tournament, curled a precise right-footed effort around defender Issa Diop and narrowly inside Bounou's left post. It was a goal worthy of deciding any match at this level.
Six minutes later, the contest was effectively over. Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, drove forward menacingly on the counterattack — aided by a clever run from Mbappé into the left side of the box that opened up space — before steering a low finish into the bottom-right corner. Bounou got a hand to it but could not keep it out. France 2-0 Morocco, and the game was done.
Mbappé was eventually substituted in the 77th minute after spending a brief period on the ground. He walked off unaided and without a visible limp, waving to the crowd with both arms. Reports indicate he was icing his ankle after the match, though he was subsequently seen jumping in celebration, suggesting the issue is not a serious concern heading into the semi-finals.
Golden Boot race tightens at the top
The goal was Mbappé's eighth of the tournament, drawing him level with Argentina's Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings. Because Mbappé has accumulated more assists, he currently holds the advantage in the race for the award. For context on just how dominant both men have been, Messi's Argentina have also been in scintillating form at this World Cup.
The strike was also Mbappé's 20th goal in 20 World Cup appearances, placing him just one behind Messi's all-time tournament record of 21. It brought France's all-time leading scorer to 64 international goals from 104 appearances — a remarkable milestone for a player still only 27 years old.
Dembélé, meanwhile, now has five goals at this World Cup. Despite the PSG star's outstanding contribution, it is his compatriot who continues to command the spotlight. Mbappé finished with four shots and made nine touches inside Morocco's penalty box — the highest of any player on the pitch — a statistic that underlines just how influential his presence was even before he found the net.
Morocco fall short despite passionate support
The result represented a second consecutive World Cup elimination at the hands of France for Morocco, who also lost 2-0 in the 2022 semi-finals. The Atlas Lions were playing without injured forward Ismael Saibari and, despite having much of the crowd at Gillette Stadium behind them, struggled to create any meaningful chances against a disciplined French backline.
It was not until the 83rd minute that Morocco forced goalkeeper Mike Maignan into a save — an effort from distance by Azzedine Ounahi that was parried away. France kept a third clean sheet in as many knockout games, a record that speaks to the solidity Didier Deschamps has instilled throughout the tournament.
Morocco's exit also marks the end of Africa's involvement in the competition. Nine of the continent's ten qualifiers reached the knockout phase, but only two advanced past the round of 32, and none has progressed beyond the quarter-finals.
What's next for France
France will now await the winner of the quarter-final between European champions Spain and Belgium, with that match taking place in Los Angeles. The semi-final showdown is scheduled for Wednesday (AEST) in Arlington, Texas.
Deschamps' side barely moved out of second gear in the latter stages against Morocco, and with Mbappé in this kind of form — a player who has shown resilience as well as brilliance throughout this campaign — the 2018 champions look every bit the side capable of going all the way. A third consecutive World Cup final is firmly within reach.
