AFCON 2025
France booked a third straight World Cup semi-final on Thursday, beating Morocco 2-0 at Boston Stadium in a rematch of their 2022 semi-final clash.
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele scored the goals in the second half that sent Les Bleus through to the last four of the World Cup.
Mbappe missed a first-half penalty but made amends on the hour mark, curling a shot into the far corner for his eighth goal of the tournament.
The Real Madrid talisman then turned provider six minutes later, setting up Dembele, who beat goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with a low finish, ESPN reports.
France dominated the proceedings for most of the game as the Moroccans struggled to find their rhythm in the final third with influential midfielder Ismael Saibari out injured.
Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi made history despite the defeat. The 18-year-old became the second-youngest player to feature in a World Cup quarterfinal, behind only Pele in 1958, and the first African player to make five World Cup appearances as a teenager.
The result extends Morocco’s wait for a first-ever win over France. The Atlas Lions still leave the tournament with credit, having avoided defeat against Brazil and beaten the Netherlands on penalties before bowing out in Boston, per ESPN.
Mbappe now sits level with Lionel Messi atop the Golden Boot race on eight goals apiece, though he holds the edge on assists. He was substituted late in the second half after a knock, though it did not appear serious, according to Yahoo Sports.
France will play the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium for a place in the World Cup final.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe now has 20 World Cup goals in 20 games, and 12 have come in 11 knockout games.
Mbappe only one behind Lionel Messi in all-time World Cup scorer rankings. He has eight goals at this tournament.
