(Boston, July 10) Kylian Mbappe showed his true class in the France vs Morocco World Cup quarter-final, responding to a missed penalty in the first half with a goal and an assist in the second to steer Les Bleus to a 2-0 victory and a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
France entered the match as clear favourites, and their intent was obvious from the opening whistle. Mbappe was a constant threat throughout, but Morocco goalkeeper Bounou produced a string of heroic stops to keep his side in contention at half-time. The defining moment of the first period came in the 25th minute when Mbappe stepped up to take a penalty only for Bounou to read the kick perfectly and make a comfortable save — the Moroccan keeper’s fourth penalty save at a World Cup finals.
Despite the missed spot kick, France maintained their composure and finally found the opening goal in the 60th minute. Mbappe dispossessed a Moroccan defender on the edge of the box, took a touch to set himself and curled a left-footed shot into the bottom corner. Six minutes later, he played a key role in the second goal as well, slipping a perfectly weighted pass through to Dembele who cut inside and fired a low drive past Bounou.
Morocco’s Moroccan coach acknowledged after the match that France had been the better side on the night and that the difference in the teams was evident once the goals went in. His squad had competed bravely but were ultimately unable to match France’s technical quality and attacking depth. Mbappe’s tally of eight goals and three assists this tournament leaves him as the most productive player at this World Cup, and France will enter the semi-finals in formidable shape.