France became the first team to book their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup with a convincing 2-0 victory over Morocco on Thursday.
Kabul 24: Didier Deschamps’ side repeated their 2022 World Cup result against the Atlas Lions, advancing to the last four where they will face the winner of Spain versus Belgium on July 14 at Gillette Stadium in Boston.
The match carried extra significance as it mirrored their semi-final clash in Qatar four years ago, where France also defeated Morocco 2-0.
Once again, the French showed their superiority in big tournaments, proving they remain one of the strongest contenders for the title.France dominated possession from the outset and created several scoring opportunities.
However, Morocco’s compact and disciplined defense, combined with the brilliant goalkeeping of Yassine Bounou, kept the score level in the first half.
The most dramatic moment came in the 28th minute when Kylian Mbappé was fouled inside the penalty area. The referee awarded a spot-kick, but Mbappé’s effort was superbly saved by Bounou, sending the two teams into halftime with a 0-0 scoreline.
The second half saw France increase their intensity. Their persistent pressure finally paid off in the 60th minute when Mbappé produced a clinical finish to give his team the lead.
Just six minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé unleashed a powerful long-range strike from outside the box, doubling the advantage and effectively sealing the victory.
Despite late attempts by Morocco to reduce the deficit, they could not break through France’s solid backline.France had progressed through the group stage with impressive wins over Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, topping their group convincingly.
This latest victory further strengthens their status as one of the favorites to lift the trophy. Mbappé and Dembélé once again demonstrated why they are among the world’s most dangerous attacking talents.While Morocco were eliminated, their performance was respectable.
The Atlas Lions displayed organization and resilience, confirming the continued rise of African football on the global stage. However, France’s superior quality and experience in crucial moments proved decisive.
With this result, France have taken a major step toward the final.
All eyes now turn to the Spain-Belgium quarter-final to determine their semi-final opponent. The French team and their fans will be confident as they continue their campaign in the 2026 World Cup.
