Mbappé scores, misses penalty as France beat Morocco to reach World Cup semis
Kylian Mbappé missed a first-half penalty but scored a brilliant goal to send France into the World Cup semifinals with a 2-0 win over Morocco.
Penalty drama
France dominated the first half but were frustrated by Morocco goalkeeper Bono. In the 25th minute, Kylian Mbappé was brought down in the box by Noussair Mazraoui, and referee Facundo Tello pointed to the spot. A lengthy VAR check, lasting over three minutes, delayed the kick. During the wait, Morocco's Issa Diop covered his mouth with his shirt while speaking to Ousmane Dembélé, an action that under a new World Cup rule can lead to a red card in confrontational situations. FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina had clarified before the tournament that players may cover their mouths when talking to friends.
Diop escaped punishment, but the delay unsettled Mbappé, whose weak penalty was saved by Bono. Bono has now saved four of the nine penalties he has faced at World Cups.Players may continue to cover their mouths with their arm or shirt when talking to friends.
- Mbappé fouled by Mazraoui; penalty awarded after VAR check
- Mbappé's penalty saved by Bono
- Mbappé scores a stunning goal to give France the lead
- Dembélé doubles France's advantage
- Mbappé substituted with ankle knock; Mateta replaces him
Mbappé strikes back
France kept pressing and broke through on the hour mark. Mbappé collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled a stunning shot into the top corner to make it 1-0. Six minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead with a clinical finish. The goal was Mbappé's 20th in World Cup play, leaving him one behind Lionel Messi's all-time record of 21.
Ankle worry dismissed
Mbappé's night ended early when he went down clutching his ankle in the 76th minute after a heavy challenge. He was replaced by Jean-Philippe Mateta and immediately had the joint iced on the bench. After the match, the French captain downplayed the injury.
I got a knock on the ankle, but I'm fine. Mateta was fitter than me to play the last ten, fifteen minutes. That's why I came off.
Semifinal awaits
France have now reached the semifinals at three consecutive World Cups and remain perfect in the tournament with six wins from six matches. They will face the winner of Spain versus Belgium on Friday evening in Inglewood, near Los Angeles. Mbappé made clear the job is not done.
Only winning counts. We are now in the semifinals, but we still have a long way to go. And we are aware that what's coming will be harder than what we've had so far.
