'Overwhelming performance in the World Cup quarterfinals': France crushes Morocco 2-0, securing 'third consecutive semi-final appearance'... Mbappé and Dembélé explode with spectacular goals [World Cup Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

The France national football team defeated Morocco to advance to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup.

Led by French coach Didier Deschamps, France (ranked third in the FIFA rankings) dominated Morocco (seventh) with a 2-0 victory at Boston Stadium in the United States on the 10th (Korean time), thanks to consecutive goals from match-solvers Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) and Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain/PSG).

With this win, France achieved three consecutive World Cup semi-final appearances following their 2018 Russia tournament victory and 2022 Qatar runner-up finish. In the semi-finals, they will face the winner of the Spain-Belgium match.

France was widely recognized as the top favorite to win the tournament by football statistics outlets such as Opta and Squawka immediately after the quarterfinal draw was finalized. With today's victory, France extended their winning streak to six consecutive matches, including three perfect group stage wins in Group I and three knockout round victories.

Even though this was a World Cup quarterfinal match, France displayed overwhelming dominance throughout the game, leading 13-1 in total shots during the first half. Even after securing control of the match and shifting focus to maintaining stability, the shot count disparity widened significantly to 22-5 overall. Morocco managed only one effective shot on target.

In contrast, Morocco, which caused a sensation by reaching the semi-finals at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, showed strong momentum in this tournament with draws against Brazil in the group stage and a penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands. However, they ultimately faced the formidable wall of France, the top favorite, and ended their World Cup journey.

France deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mbappé leading the attack, supported by Desire Doue (PSG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), and Dembélé in the second line. Adrián Rabiote (AC Milan) and Manu Koné (AS Roma) anchored the midfield. The defensive line consisted of Lyouss Diop (Aston Villa), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), and Jules Koundé (Barcelona). Mike Maignan (AC Milan) was in goal.

Morocco started with Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart) up front, supported by Chemseddine Talbi (Sunderland), Aziz Bouhadda (Girona), and Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid). Nail El Aynaoui (AS Roma) and Ayoub Bouadi (Lille) operated in midfield. The defensive line included Anas Salah-Eddine (AS Roma), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Issa Diop (Fulham), and Achraf Hakimi (PSG). Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal) wore the goalkeeper gloves.

The first half was entirely dominated by France. They opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a long-range shot from Mbappé, while Upamecano's header from a corner kick threatened Morocco's goal. Shots from Doue and Dembélé also repeatedly targeted the Moroccan net.

In the 28th minute of the first half, France seized a decisive opportunity to take the lead. Mbappé, who had penetrated the penalty area, was fouled by Mazraoui, resulting in a penalty kick. Although Mbappé stepped up as the kicker, his shot was saved by goalkeeper Bounou.

France, having swallowed their disappointment, once again created a scoring opportunity in the 35th minute of the first half through a counterattack. Doue dribbled toward the edge of the penalty area and took a shot against the goalkeeper, but this time too, the shot failed to penetrate Bounou's wall. Morocco attempted only one shot from a free kick late in stoppage time during the second half, which missed the French goal. Despite France's overwhelming advantage with 13 shots compared to Morocco's single attempt in the first half, the score remained 0-0.

France broke the tight balance in the 15th minute of the second half, with 'as expected' Mbappé as the protagonist.

Receiving the ball on the left side of the arc, Mbappé faced a defender and curled a right-footed shot into the net. Although Bounou, who had been making spectacular saves throughout the match, stretched out his body to block it, the perfectly curved shot found the back of the net. With this goal, Mbappé joined Argentina's Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) as the joint top scorer of the tournament with eight goals.

Momentum shifted further in France's favor in the 21st minute of the second half. Dembélé, leading a counterattack from the opponent's half, struck a surprise right-footed shot from directly in front of the arc, sending the ball into the net. This was Dembélé's first goal of the tournament in the knockout stage, following his hat-trick against Norway in the final group stage match and subsequent silence.

Morocco, pushed to the brink of elimination, late in the game attempted to exploit gaps in France's defense through backline buildup play. Meanwhile, France, having secured control, focused on stability while constantly seeking opportunities for counterattacks to score a decisive goal. However, neither team managed to capitalize. Morocco failed to produce an equalizer to reignite their hopes, and France could not deliver the final blow to seal the victory.

Ultimately, the match concluded with the referee's final whistle, resulting in a 2-0 comprehensive victory for France and securing their third consecutive World Cup semi-final appearance.

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*This content was translated by AI.