France are through to the 2026 World Cup semifinals after a controlled 2-0 victory over Morocco at Gillette Stadium on Thursday. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 60th minute, six minutes before Ousmane Dembélé doubled the advantage, as Les Bleus absorbed Moroccan possession and punished them on the counter. Morocco, who held 52% of the ball but generated only 0.14 xG, never seriously threatened Mike Maignan’s goal.
Key Moments
- 28′, Mbappé earns and steps up to take a penalty, but his effort is missed, keeping the scoreline level at the half-hour mark.
- 60′, Mbappé makes amends, converting a normal goal to break the deadlock and give France the lead midway through the second half.
- 62′, Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi responds immediately, bringing on Bouaddi and El Khannouss in a double substitution looking for a reaction.
- 63′, Issa Diop picks up a yellow card just a minute after the Moroccan subs, compounding a difficult spell for the Atlas Lions.
- 66′, Dembélé finishes to make it 2-0, effectively ending the contest six minutes after Mbappé’s opener.
- 77′, Mbappé is withdrawn by Didier Deschamps, his job done for the evening, with Désiré Doué coming on.
Tactical Breakdown
France set up in a 4-2-3-1 and made no apologies for sitting deeper and ceding the ball to Morocco, who finished with 52% possession and 524 passes to France’s 485. Deschamps’ side were content to press from compact shapes and exploit transitions. When the chances came, they were clinical: 8 shots on target from 22 total, an xG of 3.04 against Morocco’s 0.14. Yassine Bounou was kept busy with 6 saves, but France’s efficiency in the final third was the defining quality of the night.
Morocco’s double change at 62 minutes, Bouaddi and El Khannouss replacing two starters, came at the worst possible moment. Two goals were already on the board within four minutes of the restart after those substitutions, and Issa Diop’s yellow card at 63 further disrupted Ouahbi’s plans. France’s own substitutions were more measured: Mbappé came off at 77 having done his damage, with Doué introduced to maintain attacking threat, while Jules Koundé was preserved until 87.
Morocco’s inability to threaten inside the box was the core problem. Just one of their five shots came from inside the area, and their 0.14 xG tells the full story. Passing well in their own half is one thing; breaking down a disciplined French defensive block is another. France conceded only 10 fouls all game and required just one save from Maignan, an indication of how comfortably Les Bleus managed the match once Mbappé found the net.
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World Cup knockout bracket
Knockout results, aggregate scores across legs; winners in bold, penalty shootouts noted.
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Verdict
France advance to the 2026 World Cup semifinals, where they will look to build on a performance that was efficient rather than spectacular. Morocco, who held the ball more than their opponents but generated almost no threat going forward, exit a tournament they had hoped to go further in. For Deschamps’ side, the semifinal draw now takes center stage.