"From Penalty Miss Tragedy to 1 Goal + 1 Assist Comedy" — Mbappé Explodes with Match-Winning Goal… France Beat Morocco to Reach Semifinals

France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the 2026 FIFA North America–Mexico–Caribbean World Cup quarterfinal clash against Morocco, held at 3:00 a.m. WIB on the 10th at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA.

This was a rematch of the 2022 Qatar World Cup semifinal encounter. Back then, France also won 2-0, and this time they smiled again, stepping onto the semifinal stage.

France have now reached the semifinals for three consecutive World Cups. Mbappé, who recorded one goal and one assist, netted his 12th career World Cup knockout-stage goal, becoming the all-time top scorer in World Cup knockout rounds.

France lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mike Maignan guarded the goal. Jules Koundé, Dayo Upamecano, William Saliba, and Lucas Digne formed the back line. Manu Koné and Adrien Rabiot combined in central midfield. Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué were deployed in the second line, with Kylian Mbappé as the lone striker.

Morocco countered in a 4-2-3-1. Yassine Bounou wore the gloves. Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Noussair Mazraoui, and Anas Salah-Eddine held the rear. Eliesse Ben Seghir and Nil El Aynaoui (note: text says 3-line midfielders) patrolled the defensive midfield. Brahim Díaz, Azzedine Ounahi, and Chemsdine Talbi supported lone striker Bilal El Khannouss from the second line.

It was a match dominated by France. They pressed Morocco from the opening whistle. In the 4th minute, Bounou saved a shot from Mbappé. From a corner situation, Upamecano attempted a header shot, but it did not trouble the keeper. In the 18th minute, Dembélé redirected a cross from Doué with his head, but it drifted wide.


In the 28th minute, Mbappé won a penalty kick. He stepped up himself as the taker, but the shot lacked power, and Bounou read the direction and saved it.

In the 35th minute, Doué won the ball in central midfield and quickly launched an attack that ended in a shot, but again Bounou was equal to it.

After a goalless first half, France kept knocking on Morocco's door early in the second. In the 55th minute (second half 10th), Doué shot, but it went straight at Bounou.

Even after the missed penalty, the flow of the game remained the same — France created clear chances, and Bounou put on a save show. Meanwhile, Morocco struggled to craft opportunities, recording their first shot only in the 5th minute of first-half added time, from a free kick.

Then, in the 60th minute (second half 15th), the breakthrough finally came. Even in a crowded area, Mbappé fired a right-footed shot past Issa Diop. With almost no run-up, the strike traced a beautiful arc and sucked into the net — the moment Bounou's fortress finally crumbled.

An additional goal arrived in the 66th minute (second half 21st). Mbappé laid off a one-touch pass for Ousmane Dembélé to receive. Dembélé carried the ball forward and attempted a low, precise shot. It looked as though Bounou would save it, but the ball, having brushed the keeper's hand, still found its way into the net, extending France's lead. No further goals followed, and the match ended 2-0 in France's favor.