Mbappe scores his 20th career World Cup goal as France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the semifinals for the third time running
Mbappe and Dembélé send France to the World Cup semifinals
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France are in the World Cup semifinals for the third consecutive time after beating Morocco 2-0 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, with Kylian Mbappe scoring his eighth goal of the tournament and Ousmane Dembélé adding a second six minutes later.
Yassine Bounou was Morocco’s best performer in the first half, saving Mbappe’s penalty and making a string of fine stops from Désiré Doué and Dayot Upamecano. Lucas Digne also struck the crossbar with a long-range effort before the break.
Morocco offered little going forward, particularly without injured striker Ismael Saibari. France were always the more dangerous side and the second half belonged to them.
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Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 60th minute, sorting his feet out inside the box after Doué’s through ball and sweeping into the far corner. It was his 20th career World Cup goal in 20 appearances. Dembélé added the second in the 66th minute, latching on to Mbappe’s pass and firing past Bounou despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to it.
Mbappe came off in the 77th minute with what appeared to be an ankle injury, waving to the crowd as he walked off under his own power, but team staff later fitted him with an ice pack on the bench. France will monitor his fitness ahead of the semifinal.
Morocco’s only shot on target came in the 83rd minute. France are the only team at this World Cup to win all six matches without needing extra time or penalties. They will face the winner of Spain vs Belgium in Dallas on Monday.
