France Beats Morocco 2-0 to Reach World Cup Semi-Finals

France defeated Morocco 2-0 on Thursday in Boston to become the first team into the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup. The two goals arrived in a six-minute spell after halftime. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring, then Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele added the second.

Mbappe's goal was his eighth of the tournament, tying him with Argentina's Lionel Messi for the scoring lead. Dembele now has five goals. France have scored 16 goals in the competition, the highest total among teams that have played quarter-finals. They will face the winner of Friday's quarter-final between Spain and Belgium in Dallas on Tuesday.

Deschamps has led the team since 2012 and has stated this is his final tournament. France have won the World Cup in 2018 and reached the 2022 final. The squad includes additional attacking options such as Bayern Munich's Michael Olise, Paris St-Germain pair Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, Manchester City's Rayan Cherki, and Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

“France are the best, most skilful, most dangerous attacking team in the tournament. They have more than one [threat]. They have two, three, four that are capable.”