Mbappe fires France into third straight FIFA WC semi-final, beats Morocco 2-0
Synopsis
Mbappe shrugged off a penalty miss to score his eighth goal of FIFA World Cup 2026 and set up Dembele for a fifth, sending France into a third straight semi-final with a 2-0 win over Morocco. He also became the first player ever to reach 101 direct goal involvements for France — a milestone that underlines just how indispensable he is to this side.
Key Takeaways
France beat Morocco 2-0 at Boston Stadium, Foxborough on 10 July to advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals.
Kylian Mbappe scored his eighth goal of the tournament after missing a first-half penalty, then assisted Ousmane Dembele's fifth goal of the competition.
Mbappe became the first player to record at least 100 direct goal involvements for France ( 64 goals, 37 assists — total 101 ).
Dembele is now only the third French player to score five goals in a single World Cup edition, after Mbappe and Just Fontaine .
France have now reached the semi-finals in three consecutive FIFA World Cups — 2018 (winners), 2022 (runners-up), and 2026.
France will face either Belgium or Spain in the semi-final.
Kylian Mbappe overcame a first-half penalty miss to deliver a masterclass at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on 10 July, steering France into a third consecutive FIFA World Cup semi-final with a commanding 2-0 victory over Morocco in the last-16. The two-time champions will now face either Belgium or Spain in the last four.
How the Goals Arrived
France dominated from the first whistle, with Dayot Upamecano heading a fifth-minute corner straight at goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The clearest opening came when Noussair Mazraoui brought down Mbappe in the penalty area, but Bounou produced a fine save to deny the captain from the spot, sending both sides into the break level.
The deadlock broke on the hour mark when Mbappe curled a superb finish into the far corner from the edge of the area. He then turned provider moments later, flicking the ball into the path of Ousmane Dembele, who used his captain's overlapping run to find a shooting angle before curling the ball past Bounou with his right foot to make it 2-0.
Historic Milestones for Mbappe and Dembele
The win was decorated with landmark numbers. Mbappe's goal was his eighth of FIFA World Cup 2026, and his assist for Dembele pushed him past a remarkable threshold — he is now the first player in history to be directly involved in at least 100 goals for the French national team, having contributed 64 goals and 37 assists for a total of 101.
Dembele, meanwhile, became only the third French player to score five goals in a single FIFA World Cup edition, joining Mbappe himself and the legendary Just Fontaine on that exclusive list.
What the Coach Said
France head coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged the early setback but expressed confidence in his squad. 'We missed a penalty and failed to convert some chances. With Kylian Mbappe, there's no issue, he never doubts himself, even though he had a chance before he scored. We are exactly where we wanted to be. We will recover well and see who our opponent will be,' Deschamps said after the match.
France's World Cup Semi-Final Pedigree
This is France's third straight semi-final appearance at the FIFA World Cup — a run that began with their title-winning campaign in Russia 2018 and continued through their runners-up finish against Argentina in the Qatar 2022 final. Deschamps' side have now demonstrated a rare consistency at the tournament's business end, and with Mbappe in this form, they enter the semi-final as firm favourites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of France vs Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last-16?
France defeated Morocco 2-0 at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on 10 July to advance to the semi-finals. Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele scored the goals.
How many goals has Mbappe scored at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Kylian Mbappe has scored eight goals in the tournament so far, making him the top scorer heading into the semi-finals. He also added an assist against Morocco.
What historic record did Mbappe set against Morocco?
Mbappe became the first player in history to be directly involved in at least 100 goals for the French national team, reaching a tally of 101 — comprising 64 goals and 37 assists.
Which French players have scored five goals in a single FIFA World Cup edition?
Only three French players have achieved the feat: Just Fontaine , Kylian Mbappe , and now Ousmane Dembele , who reached five goals with his strike against Morocco.
Who will France face in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final?
France will play the winner of the quarter-final between Belgium and Spain . It is their third consecutive World Cup semi-final, following their 2018 title and 2022 runners-up finish.
