Kylian Mbappe scored a stunning goal and set up another as France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals at Gillette Stadium in Boston on Thursday night, booking their spot in the last four.
Mbappe curled in his eighth goal of the tournament on 60 minutes after seeing a first-half penalty saved, before Ousmane Dembele doubled Les Bleus’ lead just six minutes later to seal a clinical victory.
Match Overview
France dominated from the opening whistle but struggled to break down a resilient Morocco defense in the first half. The reigning African champions, who had been tipped as potential dark horses, failed to register a single shot on target until the 83rd minute.
The breakthrough finally came on the hour mark when Mbappe collected the ball on the edge of the area, shifted onto his right foot, and curled a magnificent shot past Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into the top corner. It was a moment of pure brilliance from the tournament’s leading scorer.
Dembele made the game safe in the 66th minute, striding forward from midfield before slotting a low finish into the bottom corner to send the French fans into raptures.
Mbappe’s Historic Run
With his eighth goal of the 2026 World Cup, Mbappe continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players of his generation. The French captain has been instrumental throughout the tournament, consistently delivering when it matters most.
France had earlier missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 28th minute when Mbappe saw his penalty saved by Bounou after a lengthy VAR check. The penalty was awarded after Noussair Mazraoui brought down Mbappe inside the box, but the Moroccan goalkeeper guessed correctly to keep his side level going into halftime.
What’s Next for France
Didier Deschamps’ men now advance to the semi-finals where they will face the winner of Friday’s quarter-final between Spain and Belgium at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday, July 14.
France are aiming to reach their third consecutive World Cup final, having won the trophy in 2018 and finishing runners-up in 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored for France against Morocco?
Kylian Mbappe scored the opening goal in the 60th minute, and Ousmane Dembele added a second in the 66th minute to secure a 2-0 victory.
When is France’s semi-final match?
France will play in the semi-finals on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. They will face either Spain or Belgium.
How many goals has Mbappe scored at the 2026 World Cup?
Kylian Mbappe has scored 8 goals in the 2026 World Cup, putting him at the top of the Golden Boot race.
Upcoming World Cup 2026 Schedule
- July 10 — Quarter-final: Spain vs Belgium (Los Angeles)
- July 11 — Quarter-final: Norway vs England
- July 14 — Semi-final 1 (Arlington, TX)
- July 15 — Semi-final 2
- July 18 — Third place play-off
- July 19 — World Cup 2026 Final 🏆