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France became the first team to reach the World Cup 2026 semi-finals after breaking down Morocco's stubborn, ultra-compact defensive block.

The tactical dynamic of the encounter was established from the opening whistle. France immediately dominated possession, while Morocco predictably elected to play on the counter-attack, frequently dropping all eleven players deep inside their own penalty area. France required a period of patient adjustment to find a way through the North African side's congested lines.

Les Bleus should have broken the deadlock just before the mid-half cooling break. Following a swift, incisive counter-attack, Kylian Mbappé burst into the box with time and space, only to be brought down by Noussair Mazraoui after shifting the ball past the defender. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

However, a bizarre delay followed as the officiating team engaged in a lengthy discussion, seemingly reviewing a previous phase of play via VAR. The prolonged delay appeared to affect the France captain, whose subsequent penalty lacked conviction, allowing Yassine Bounou to comfortably smother the effort.

Undeterred, France maintained their sustained pressure, but Bounou produced a string of fine saves to keep Morocco level. The standout moment of the opening 45 minutes saw the Moroccan shot-stopper produce a world-class reflex save to deny a fierce, low drive from Désiré Doué.

The African nation emerged with greater attacking intent after the interval, looking to exploit the quick transitions that had defined their tournament campaign. However, France quickly neutralised the threat before delivering a quickfire double blow to settle the tie.

The breakthrough arrived in the 60th minute when France capitalised on a catastrophic error from Morocco as they attempted to play out from a goal-kick. Having intercepted the loose ball, the holders presented Mbappé with the perfect opportunity to make amends for his first-half penalty miss. The forward cut inside his marker before curling a magnificent, trademark finish into the far corner past a helpless Bounou.

Just six minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé embarked on a driving solo run through the centre before unleashing a precise, low strike that clipped the inside of the post to make it 2-0.

While Argentina’s dramatic comeback against Egypt proved that a two-goal deficit can be overturned at this tournament, Morocco lacked the offensive tools to mount a resurgence, failing to register their first shot on target until the 83rd minute. France managed the closing stages with trademark pragmatism to secure a third consecutive clean sheet in the tournament.

France now advance to the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the highly anticipated clash between Spain and Belgium.

World Cup 2026

France - Morocco 2:0 (0:0)
Goals: Mbappé, 60 (1:0); Dembele O., 66 (2:0)

France: Maignan; Saliba; Digne; Upamecano; Kounde (Gusto, 87); Koné M. (Zaire-Emery, 71); Olise; Rabiot; Doue D. (Barcola B., 77); Dembele O.; Mbappé (Mateta, 77)
Substitution: Zaire-Emery (from 71); Barcola B. (from 77); Mateta (from 77); Gusto (from 87)
Bench: Samba B.; Risser; Lacroix M.; Theo Hernández; Konate; Lucas Hernandez; Tchouaméni; Kante N.; Akliouche; Cherki; Thuram M.

Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi; Salah-Eddine (El Ouahdi, 74); Diop I.; Mazraoui; Bouaddi (Amrabat S., 62); Ounahi A.; El Aynaoui; Diaz Br. (Yassine, 74); Talbi (Sbaï, 85); El Khannouss (Rahimi S., 62)
Substitution: Amrabat S. (from 62); Rahimi S. (from 62); El Ouahdi (from 74); Yassine (from 74); Sbaï (from 85)
Bench: Munir; Tagnaouti; Riad Chadi; Halhal; Belammari Youssef; Saadane; Saibari; El Mourabet; Amaimouni-Echghouyab; El Kaabi
Yellow Cards: Diop I. 63