The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 delivered another day of high drama as France beat Morocco to reach the semi finals.
France captain Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty but made amends with a stunning curling strike around the hour mark, as France scored twice within six minutes to secure a 2-0 victory over Morocco on Thursday and advance to the World Cup semi-finals. At 27, Mbappe also became the youngest player to reach 20 World Cup appearances.
Quickfire Goals Seal Semi-Final Spot
Mbappe netted his 20th World Cup goal with a brilliant effort from just inside the box, before Ousmane Dembele doubled the lead six minutes later with a low finish, setting up a semi-final clash against either Belgium or Spain.
Race for Golden Boot Intensifies
Mbappe is currently the tournament’s joint top scorer with eight goals, level with Lionel Messi, and now sits just one goal behind the Argentine in the all-time World Cup scoring charts.
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The opening 45 minutes finished without a goal, although France looked the more threatening side, creating better opportunities. Mbappe’s missed penalty remained the key moment of the half, while Morocco’s organised defence and resilience ensured the scores stayed level heading into the break.
Mbappe Breaks the Deadlock
Just as Morocco began to build momentum, Mbappe stepped up with a moment of brilliance to open the scoring and shift the game in France’s favour.
Dembele Seals the Win
Ousmane Dembele later added a second goal to secure a 2-0 victory, confirming France’s place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
