France crush Morocco 2-0 with Mbappé and Dembélé goals to reach World Cup semifinals
France reached the World Cup semifinals with a commanding 2-0 win over Morocco, avenging their 2022 semifinal meeting. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé scored within six second-half minutes after Yassine Bono had kept Morocco alive by saving a penalty.
French dominance from the start
France imposed their game early, with Mbappé forcing a sharp save from Bono in the opening minutes. Moments later, Upamecano’s point-blank header from a corner was again denied by the Moroccan goalkeeper. That early pressure set the tone, with Morocco repeatedly forced deep into their own half.
Bono keeps Morocco afloat
Bono was exceptional throughout the first half, turning away a powerful drive from Doué and tipping a Digne strike onto the crossbar. In the 28th minute, Mbappé drew a penalty after contact with Mazraoui, but the Real Madrid forward telegraphed his shot and Bono guessed correctly, diving to his left to parry. It was Mbappé’s first penalty miss for France in five years.
Second-half deluge
France maintained their intensity after the break. The breakthrough came just past the hour mark when Mbappé finished a trademark quick transition with a clinical strike. Only six minutes later, Dembélé doubled the lead after another swift move, extinguishing any Moroccan hopes.
Morocco’s gamble and injuries
Morocco, missing key attacker Saibari and defender Riad, were forced into reshuffles. El Khannouss was deployed as a false nine, while full-back Mazraoui shifted to centre-back – a move that backfired when he conceded the penalty. The North Africans tried to control possession but were repeatedly punished by France’s speed on the break.
Semifinal on Bastille Day
With the win, France advance to the semifinals on Tuesday, 14 July, France’s national holiday. They await the winner of the quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium.
