France confirmed its candidacy for the 2026 World Cup title by beating Morocco 2-0 at Gillette Stadium in Boston. Didier Deschamps’ team advanced to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the duel between Spain and Belgium.
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 60th minute with an unstoppable right hand that hit Yassine Bounou’s left post. Six minutes later, Ousmane Dembelé defined the match with a low shot.
Mbappé equals records
With this goal, Mbappé reached eight goals in the 2026 World Cup, equaling Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring table. The Frenchman reached 20 goals in the history of the World Cup, one less than the Argentine. Furthermore, at 27 years and 201 days, he became the youngest player to play 20 World Cup matches, surpassing Wladislaw Zmuda.
Mbappé could have increased his tally, but Bounou saved him from a penalty in the 29th minute. The 35-year-old Al-Hilal goalkeeper dove to his left to catch the shot.
French domain
France controlled the match from the beginning. Bounou avoided an early goal by deflecting a right hand from Mbappé in the 4th minute and a header from Dayot Upamecano a minute later. Dembele also demanded the Moroccan goalkeeper with several shots. Lucas Digne hit a left-footed shot against the crossbar in added time of the first half.
In the second half, Mateta headed over the crossbar in the 88th minute, and Bounou won the duel again in the 94th minute. Morocco barely bothered Mike Maignan with a last-gasp attempt by Gessime Yassine.
Semifinals and scoring table
France will play the semifinals on Tuesday the 14th at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas against the winner of Spain vs. Belgium. The ‘Bleus’ are seeking their third title after 1998 and 2018, and are undefeated with six victories.
In the scoring table, Mbappé and Messi lead with eight goals, followed by Erling Haaland with seven. The Norwegian, a sensation in his first World Cup, will face England on Saturday.
