France booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a controlled 2-0 win over Morocco at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Second-half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele settled a quarter-final that France had dominated from the opening whistle, even after Mbappe saw a first-half penalty saved by Yassine Bounou. Les Bleus remain perfect at the tournament and march on as favourites, while Morocco’s memorable run ends at the last eight.
Key Takeaways
- France defeated Morocco 2-0 to reach the 2026 World Cup semi-finals.
- Kylian Mbappe scored his eighth goal of the tournament and set up Dembele’s second-half strike.
- Ousmane Dembele netted his fifth goal of the tournament to double the lead six minutes after the opener.
- Mbappé had a first-half penalty saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who finished with six saves.
- France stayed perfect, winning all six matches at the tournament without needing extra time.
The France vs Morocco World Cup 2026 matchup was a study in patience and pressure. France piled up chances throughout the first half without reward, then broke Morocco’s resistance in a decisive six-minute spell early in the second period. Morocco defended bravely and rode their luck through the interval, but had no answer once Mbappé finally found the net.
How did France break down a stubborn Morocco?
France was relentless from the first whistle, camping in Morocco’s half and carving out chance after chance. By half-time, Les Bleus had generated an expected goals tally of around 1.87 without scoring, one of the most dominant goalless first-half performances of the tournament. The best opportunity came from the penalty spot, but Mbappe’s tame effort was held low to his left by Yassine Bounou, keeping the score level at the break.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 60th minute. Mbappé cut inside and curled a precise shot into the far corner for his eighth goal of the tournament, rewarding France’s persistence and reclaiming his place at the top of the Golden Boot race. It was the goal his overall display deserved.
Six minutes later, the tie was as good as over. Mbappé turned provider, releasing Ousmane Dembélé to finish for his fifth goal of the tournament in the 66th minute. The quick-fire double drained Morocco of belief, and France saw out the remainder in comfort, rotating their attack and managing the game to protect a clean sheet.
What were the key statistics of the France vs Morocco World Cup 2026 match?
The numbers underline how one-sided the quarter-final was in terms of chance creation. France dominated the shot count and the expected-goals battle, while Morocco’s back line and goalkeeper were kept under near-constant pressure. The possession split was close, but the quality of chances was not.
| Statistic | France | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 48% | 52% |
| Total shots | 27 | 5 |
| Shots on target | 8 | 1 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 3.69 | 0.14 |
| Saves | 1 | 6 |
| Fouls | 10 | 13 |
Who were the standout performers and starters for each side?
Kylian Mbappe was the decisive figure at Boston Stadium, recovering from his saved penalty to score France’s opener and assist Dembele’s second. His goal was his eighth of the tournament and his 11th goal involvement in 2026, cementing his status as the competition’s outstanding attacker before he was withdrawn to a standing ovation in the 77th minute. At the other end, Yassine Bounou was Morocco’s best player in defeat, making six saves, including the penalty stop that kept his side alive until the hour mark.
France Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Mike Maignan
- Defenders: Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne
- Midfielders: Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Michael Olise
- Forwards: Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Kylian Mbappe
Morocco set up to contain and counter, but were pinned back for long stretches and rarely threatened Mike Maignan’s goal. Bilal El Khannouss led the line with limited service, and coach Walid Regragui turned to his bench on the hour in search of a foothold, introducing Sofyan Amrabat and Soufiane Rahimi. The changes could not stem the tide once France scored.
Morocco Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Yassine Bounou
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Anass Salah-Eddine
- Midfielders: Ayyoub Bouaddi, Azzedine Ounahi, Brahim Diaz
- Forwards: Chemsdine Talbi, Neil El Aynaoui, Bilal El Khannouss
What does this result mean for France and Morocco?
Victory sends France through to the semi-finals with a flawless record of six wins from six, the only team at the tournament to reach the last four without being taken to extra time. Their blend of defensive solidity and attacking depth has made them the side to beat, and Mbappé’s form has been the driving force behind the run.
For Morocco, the knockout format is unforgiving: the defeat ends their World Cup 2026 campaign, with no further fixtures to play. A run to the quarter-finals still represents another strong tournament for a nation that has become a fixture in the latter stages of major competitions, and Bounou’s penalty save will be a highlight of an otherwise painful night.
What are France’s upcoming fixtures after this match?
France now turn their attention to the World Cup 2026 semi-final, scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Dallas Stadium (the official FIFA tournament name for AT&T Stadium) in Arlington, Texas. Their opponent will be the winner of the quarter-final between Belgium and Spain.
Morocco has no further matches at the tournament following their quarter-final exit. Their focus will shift to the future as they look to build on another deep run at a World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of France vs Morocco at the 2026 World Cup?
France beat Morocco 2-0 in the World Cup 2026 quarter-final at Boston Stadium on July 9, 2026. Both goals came in the second half, and the win sent France through to the semi-finals.
Who scored the goals for France against Morocco?
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 60th minute with a curling finish, and Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead in the 66th minute after being set up by Mbappé. It was Mbappe’s eighth goal and Dembele’s fifth of the tournament.
Did Kylian Mbappé miss a penalty in the match?
Yes. Mbappé had a first-half penalty saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who dived low to his left to keep the score level. Mbappé made amends after the break by scoring and assisting France’s two goals.
Who will France play in the World Cup 2026 semi-final?
France will face the winner of the quarter-final between Belgium and Spain in the semi-final, scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) in Arlington, Texas.
