Mbappe scores as France defeats Morocco, advances to semis

Kylian Mbappe scored the opening goal as France secured a 2-0 victory over Morocco in their 2026 World Cup quarter-final match held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on July 9, 2026. The match marked France's journey to the semi-finals, where they will face either Spain or Belgium on July 11, 2026.

In the first half, Mbappe missed a penalty after Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou successfully saved his shot. However, he rebounded well to net a brilliant curling finish in the 60th minute, bringing his tournament total to eight goals, tying him with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.

Before exiting the game late, Mbappe set up Ousmane Dembele, who added a second goal with a low shot that Bounou was unable to stop. The match was witnessed by 63,811 fans, punctuating France's dominant performance against Morocco, who were missing key player Ismael Saibari due to injury.

With this victory, France continued their quest for a third consecutive World Cup final appearance, following their victories in 2018 and second place finish in 2022. Coach Didier Deschamps is set to step down after the tournament, further motivating the team.

Despite a spirited effort from Morocco, bolstered by a supportive crowd, they struggled to find the net, as France maintained a solid defense, achieving their third consecutive clean sheet in knockout matches. Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi and other youngsters showcased their potential, suggesting that they will remain competitive in future international tournaments, especially as they prepare to co-host the next World Cup in 2030 with Spain and Portugal.

The excitement of the match escalated when Mbappe earned a penalty after being fouled by Noussair Mazraoui, yet his subsequent attempt at goal was surprisingly weak, reminding spectators of the vulnerabilities even top players exhibit. Bounou's efforts kept Morocco in the game, particularly in the first half, but France's relentless pressure paid off in the second half.

As the tournament progresses, Mbappe continues to impress, now boasting 20 goals from 20 World Cup appearances, just one goal shy of Messi’s overall record of 21.