France Defeats Morocco 2-0 to Reach World Cup Semifinals
4 verified6 unconfirmed
France defeated Morocco 2-0 on Thursday to become the first team to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele in a six-minute span during the second half secured the victory in Boston. The win extends France’s flawless tournament record, having beaten Senegal, Iraq, Norway, Sweden, Paraguay, and Morocco. With the victory, France remains two wins away from winning a third world title. Manager Didier Deschamps, who is in his final tournament in charge since 2012, has previously led France to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2022 final. The match also highlighted the transnational nature of both squads, with several players on both sides holding heritage connections to multiple nations.
What’s verified
France beat Morocco 2-0 in a World Cup quarter-final match.
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele scored the goals for France.
The victory put France into the World Cup semi-finals as the first team to qualify.
France have now won all six matches in the tournament so far.
Not yet confirmed
It was reported by one source that Mbappe had a first-half penalty saved.
It was reported by one source that Dembele’s goal was his fifth of the tournament.
It was reported by one source that six of Morocco’s players were born in France, six in Spain, and only six in Morocco.
It was reported by one source that midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, born in France, is playing for Morocco after previously representing France’s under-21 team.
It was reported by one source that France have conceded only two goals in six games in the tournament.
None of the sources answer whether Spain will be France’s semi-final opponent, pending Spain’s quarter-final result.
Key figures
Kylian Mbappe (France forward)
Ousmane Dembele (France forward)
Didier Deschamps (France manager)
Patrick Vieira (former France midfielder, quoted)
Sources: BBC News, csmonitor.com
