FIFA World Cup 2026: France reach FIFA World Cup semi-finals, beat Morocco in quarter-finals

France vs Morocco:  France advanced to the semifinals for the third time in a row by defeating Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026. There was no goal in the first half. But goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele gave France a superb victory. They will now face the winner of the quarter-finals between Belgium and Spain in the semifinals.

France played aggressively from the start. In the fifth minute, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassin Boonu made a brilliant save from Diot Upamecano's header. France were then awarded a penalty when Nousser Mazrouei fouled Kylian Mbappe inside the box. However, Bunu made a brilliant save on captain Killian Mbappe's penalty and the score remained 0-0 during the first half.

Kylian Mbappe gave the lead in the 60th minute

France kept up the pressure in the second half and in the 60th minute, Kylian Mbappe scored a superb curling shot from outside the box to give the team a 1-0 lead. This was his eighth goal of the World Cup.

Kylian Mbappé. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/5s5aqeYFkG

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 9, 2026

Six minutes later, Dembele took the victory

Kylian Mbappe's goal, France scored the second goal. Kylian Mbappe gave Ousmane Dembele a superb pass and Dembele scored to give the team a 2-0 lead. From there, France retained complete control of the match and did not give Morocco any chance of a comeback.

A third straight Semi-final secured for France. 🇫🇷#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 9, 2026

France in World Cup semi-finals for the third time in a row

With this victory, Didier Desha's team reached the World Cup semifinals for the third time in a row. France won the World Cup in 2018 and finished runners-up in 2022. The team will now be eyeing the second final.  

What records were made?

Kylian Mbappe has scored goals in all six matches of this World Cup and is leading the race for the Golden Boot.

Kylian Mbappe (20) now trails only Lionel Messi (21) in terms of scoring the most career goals in the World Cup.

Ousmane Dembele became the third French player to score five goals in a single season of the World Cup

18 years and 280 days Ayub Buadi became the first player to play five matches for the African team in the World Cup as a teenager<>