History was made again at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough Thursday night as France defeated Morocco 2-0 for the second straight World Cup, with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele propelling Les Bleus into the semifinals for the third tournament in a row. France Beat Morocco World Cup 2026
That leaves France as the only team in World Cup history to win all six of their matches at a single tournament without needing extra time, a stunning feat that emphasises their reputation as overwhelming favourites to claim the trophy in East Rutherford on July 19.
Mbappe’s goal took his tournament tally to eight, one ahead of Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, and Dembele’s score added more polish to what was a disciplined, professional display from Didier Deschamps’ remarkable side.
How the Goals Were Achieved
Mbappe put France ahead in the 52nd minute. The Real Madrid superstar drove into the box from the left, cut inside onto his right foot and delivered a composed low shot past Yassine Bounou into the bottom corner. Fortunately for Mbappe, he had also missed a penalty earlier in the game, the second penalty he has missed at this World Cup, but his goal from open play was worthy of winning any quarter-final.
Dembele soon scored the second to put any uncertainty about the result to rest. Michael Olise’s through pass found the Barcelona winger, who finished clinically past Bounou to double France’s advantage and send the French fans inside Gillette Stadium into delirious jubilation.
Golden Boot Race Mbappe
Mbappe currently leads the battle for the Golden Boot uncontested with eight goals from seven appearances in this tournament, one ahead of Lionel Messi on seven goals. Erling Haaland has seven goals going into Saturday’s quarterfinal between Norway and England. France Beat Morocco World Cup 2026
Mbappe, Messi and Haaland are locked in a three-way battle for the Golden Boot, one of the most intriguing individual narratives of any World Cup in recent memory, with all three potentially facing each other in the semifinals and final to further boost their tallies.
Mbappe’s Missed Penalty The Only Blemish
For all his brilliance, the missed penalty was a rare moment of imperfection from the French skipper. Bounou dove to his right and made a great save to deny Mbappe from the spot, but the 25-year-old responded in the best possible way, scoring the opener from open play moments later. France Beat Morocco World Cup 2026
The miss means Mbappe has now missed two penalties in this tournament, but with eight goals from open play and set-pieces combined, his overall effect has been nothing short of remarkable.
Morocco’s World Cup Journey Ends
Morocco’s amazing World Cup run ends in the quarterfinals for the second straight tournament, with France once again proving to be one bridge too far for the Atlas Lions.
Defeated, Morocco’s feat of reaching back-to-back World Cup quarterfinals as the only African nation to do so is a major stride forward for African football. Their record of 34 matches without defeat eventually ended in Foxborough, but Mohamed Ouahbi’s side can leave with their heads held high after another excellent tournament.
Ismael Saibari’s injury robbed Morocco of their most dangerous offensive weapon, and it ultimately proved expensive against a French defence unit that has already registered shutouts in five of its seven matches at this World Cup.
France Makes History
The stats driving France’s tournament success are nothing short of astonishing. Seven out of seven. 16 goals for, two against, and not a single minute of extra time played throughout the whole competition.
Deschamps, in charge of his 25th World Cup game on Thursday, equalling Helmut Schon’s all-time management record, has now taken France to three successive World Cup semi-finals, with only Germany between 2002 and 2014 managing four successive semi-final appearances in the history of the competition.
What’s coming next
France go to the semifinal Tuesday, July 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas against the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. ET.
Deschamps confirmed the substitution was not related to any severe injury worry, and that Mbappe should be totally healthy after being substituted late with a minor knock. France Beat Morocco World Cup 2026
Full Time : France 2 – 0 Morocco
Goals: Mbappe 52, Dembele 67
Mbappe misses a penalty
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Boston Mbappe Tournament Goals: 8
France Semifinal: v Spain or Belgium
July 14, Arlington, Tex.
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Sarah Williams is a sports news reporter covering all major American sports including NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL. With 4 years of experience in sports journalism, Sarah specializes in breaking news, trending stories, and exclusive sports updates. Her fast-paced reporting style keeps sports fans informed and engaged. Sarah is a core member of the USA News Point editorial team.
