Kylian Mbappé missed a first-half penalty but scored a sublime 60th-minute goal to lead France to a 2-0 win over Morocco in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on July 9. The victory sends Les Bleus to the semifinals in Dallas on July 14 against either Spain or Belgium.
Mbappé's Missed Penalty Looms Large
Mbappé was forced to wait more than three minutes to take the penalty after being fouled by Noussair Mazraoui in the box. The stop-start delay was followed by a weak stop-start penalty that Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved easily. It was Mbappé's first missed penalty in any World Cup game.
France dominated the first half, outshooting Morocco 13-1, with Morocco's only shot coming from an injury-time free kick. The Atlas Lions had just a single touch in France's box through the first 45 minutes.
Second-Half Brilliance from Mbappé
Morocco's hopes of a second-half surge, similar to their performance against Canada, were dashed when Mbappé produced a moment of magic in the 60th minute. A botched clearance bounced to him on the corner of the box, where he sent a swirling, curling shot around centreback Issa Diop and into the far side netting. It was his eighth goal at this tournament and 20th in 20 World Cup games, tying him atop the Golden Boot race with Lionel Messi.
Six minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé made it 2-0 with a low strike past Bouno, effectively sealing the win. Morocco had an expected goals (xG) of just 0.12 from four shots, and France's backline broke up any attacks, turning the ball the other way and forcing Morocco to backtrack.
France's Third-Straight Semifinal Appearance
This is the third consecutive World Cup semifinal appearance for France. The team has been flying on an ICE charter, and the match marked the second time France has eliminated Morocco from a World Cup, having done so in the 2022 semifinals in Qatar.
Morocco's coach acknowledged the team's disappointment, saying, "I hope this serves as a lesson." The Atlas Lions exit the tournament with bitterness and introspection, unable to replicate their earlier success against Canada.
