Kylian Mbappe inspired France to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 8 match on Thursday 9 July, 2026 at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, United States (US).
The goal made it the eighth for the former AS Monaco forward in the tournament. Mbappe had earlier won a penalty in the first half after being fouled on by Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui, however, his weakly hit penalty kick was easily saved by goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou.
The victory means France how now progressed to the semi finals of the tournament after proving too fantastic for the Atlas Lions.
In the 60th minute, Mbappe, who fields for Real Madrid, made amends for his first half miss and placed Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus in front with a stunning curling effort from just inside the penalty area, converting PSG Desire Doue’s assist.
And, in the 66th minute, PSG forward, Ousmane Dembele, netted the second to seal France’ place in the last four of the tournament.
Dembele, former Barcelona forward, was allowed to charge at the defence of the North African side, and he found the back of the net with his low strike. The effort went through Bounou despite the Atlas Lions goalie’s hand getting to the ball.
Mbappe’s opener moves him level on goals with Argentina forward, Lionel Messi, in the FIFA World Cup 2026, but, the Frenchman now leads the race for the Golden Boot after recording more assists than the Inter Miami player.
Both players are also in a contest on who emerges the World Cup all-time top goalscorer. So far, Mbappe has a total of twenty (20) World Cup goals, while, Messi has twenty-one (21).
France will now face the winner between Spain and Belgium in the semi finals on Tuesday in Dallas, US.
Spain and Belgium will lock horns in the quarter final match on Friday 10 July, 2026 at Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, US at 20:00 (WAT).
Photo: Kylian Mbappe celebrates goal for France in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter final match against Morocco on Thursday in Boston, US
