Mbappe Breaks the Deadlock After Penalty Miss
France booked a place in the World Cup 2026 semi-finals after edging past a stubborn Morocco side 2-0. The Atlas Lions arrived in Boston determined to repeat their historic run from four years ago, and for long stretches they matched Les Bleus blow for blow.
Yassine Bounou stood tall between the posts, saving a first-half penalty from Kylian Mbappe and denying efforts from Dayot Upamecano and Desire Doue. However, class eventually told. On the hour mark, Mbappe collected possession outside the box and curled a stunning strike into the side netting, notching his 20th World Cup goal in just 20 appearances.
The moment silenced any doubts about his penalty miss and reaffirmed why he remains the tournament’s most feared finisher.
Dembele Doubles the Lead as Morocco Fade
Barely five minutes later, France struck again. Ousmane Dembele advanced into space and drilled a low finish beyond Bounou, sealing his fifth goal of the competition alongside two assists. The double blow proved too much for Morocco to overturn.
Noussair Mazraoui and his teammates pushed forward in search of a route back into the contest, but Mike Maignan dealt calmly with everything that came his way. Didier Deschamps, who departs after this tournament, withdrew Mbappe in the 76th minute to protect his talisman ahead of the semi-final. Substitute Bradley Barcola continued testing Bounou late on, yet the scoreline held firm through six added minutes.
Les Bleus Chase a Historic Third Straight Final
France now awaits the winner of Spain versus Belgium, with a chance to reach a third consecutive World Cup final. Few teams boast the depth France possess, and Mbappe’s record-setting form only strengthens their case.
For fans tracking odds and form guides ahead of the semi-final draw, kcpredict offers regularly updated predictions. Analysis from FIFA’s official coverage suggests Morocco’s exit closes a remarkable chapter for African football at this tournament, even as France presses on toward another final.