France v Morocco LIVE: Mbappe inspires World Cup favourites into semi-finals

France’s march toward another World Cup final gathered fresh momentum on Tuesday night as Kylian Mbappé’s composure and Ousmane Dembélé’s finish sealed a 2-0 victory over Morocco in a quarter-final repeat of the Doha semi-final two years ago. The result sends Didier Deschamps’ side into the last four, where they will face either Spain or Belgium, while Morocco’s fairytale run ends with a reminder of the gulf between Europe’s elite and Africa’s finest.

Revenge served cold

Morocco arrived in Boston with a point to prove after their 2-0 defeat in Qatar, but France’s attacking hierarchy refused to yield an inch. Mbappé, denied a first-half penalty by a sharp Bono save at the 38th minute, restored order after the interval with a clinical finish in the 57th minute that underlined his status as the tournament’s most dangerous striker. Dembélé doubled the lead in the 79th minute, sealing a performance that, while not flawless, reaffirmed France’s credentials as the competition’s standout side. Morocco pushed in the final minutes—Mateta’s 1v1 with Bono at the 90+4 minute mark and Barcola’s near-miss at the 88th minute offered fleeting hope—but the Atlas Lions lacked the cutting edge to breach a resolute French rearguard.

Deschamps’ machine grinds on

Deschamps’ side have now reached the semi-finals for the third consecutive World Cup, a sequence that underscores their consistency at the sharpest stage. Their path has been eased by attacking firepower—Mbappé has been the spearhead, but the supporting cast, including Dembélé, has shown the depth required to navigate knockout football. The victory over Paraguay in the last 16 was harder earned than the group-stage romp, yet it exposed no chinks; instead, it revealed a side growing into its potential. Morocco, by contrast, exit with pride intact but the knowledge that their journey ended where it began two years ago.

Tactical edge: control vs. chaos

France’s game plan hinged on Mbappé’s ability to exploit space, while Morocco sought to frustrate through pressing and quick transitions. The Atlas Lions carved openings but lacked the final pass or shot on target to trouble the French backline. France, meanwhile, absorbed pressure before punishing errors—Dembélé’s goal arrived after Morocco’s defensive line strayed too high at the 79th minute, a reminder that even elite teams can be undone by lapses in concentration. The contrast was stark: one side playing with the freedom of a team with nothing to lose, the other with the ruthlessness of a side chasing history.

With the semi-final draw set to pit France against either Spain or Belgium, Deschamps’ men will face a sterner test still. Their opponents will bring different threats—Spain’s possession dominance or Belgium’s individual brilliance—but France’s blend of experience and attacking verve makes them the bookmakers’ favourites. Morocco, meanwhile, can hold their heads high as the tournament’s most unlikely story, even if their exit leaves them nursing the same frustration that defined their Doha heartbreak.