France advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup with a measured, clinical 2-0 victory over Morocco, keeping Les Bleus unbeaten through the tournament and leaving them three wins shy of the trophy.
Star power and a scare
Kylian Mbappé continued his torrid scoring run, adding another goal to his tournament tally and nudging the race for the Golden Boot into a tight duel. Mbappé’s strike early in the second half restored France’s lead in the scoring chase, and Ousmane Dembélé buried a follow-up goal that put the match beyond Morocco’s reach. The win also extended France’s streak: they are the only team in the competition to have won all their matches so far without extra time.
The match carried a brief moment of concern when Mbappé went down late and was replaced in the 77th minute. He was later seen on the sideline with an ice pack, but his postgame celebration suggested the injury was not serious.
What this means for the bracket
France will await the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium to determine its semifinal opponent. The victory keeps Les Bleus on a familiar march: this will be their third straight World Cup semifinal, and they remain a leading candidate to reach the final once more.
- Match result: France 2, Morocco 0
- Key contributors: Kylian Mbappé (goal, continued Golden Boot push), Ousmane Dembélé (goal)
- Next up: Winner of Spain vs. Belgium (Friday)
Quick look: Quarterfinal schedule (selected matches)
| Date | Match | Kickoff (ET) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 9 | France vs. Morocco | — | — |
| Friday, July 10 | Spain vs. Belgium | 3 p.m. | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California |
| Saturday, July 11 | Norway vs. England | 5 p.m. | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens |
| Saturday, July 11 | Argentina vs. Switzerland | 9 p.m. | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
France’s performance in this match was a reminder of both their attacking depth and their match-management ability. Mbappé’s goal kept pace with Lionel Messi in the tournament’s scoring chart; both players now sit at eight goals, with Mbappé ahead on assists. Dembélé’s finish, meanwhile, supplied the clean kill — a moment that has become a signature of title-caliber teams.
As the bracket tightens, every substitution and injury will be watched closely. Mbappé’s late exit and the sight of an ice pack will be monitored as France prepares for what could be another deep run in this World Cup. For now, Les Bleus move on, intact and favored, into the semifinals where familiar pressure and expectation await.
