France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach World Cup semifinals

France knocked Morocco out of the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 quarterfinal win in Boston on Thursday, ending the Atlas Lions’ bid to avenge their 2022 semifinal defeat. Al Jazeera reported that Kylian Mbappe recovered from a saved penalty to score in the second half and then set up Ousmane Dembele six minutes later.

The result sent France into the semifinals and left Morocco with the same scoreline that ended its run against France four years earlier. For Morocco supporters, the loss closed a campaign that had carried hopes of payback, faith in a younger squad and belief in a new coach.

Morocco had reason to believe early. In the 29th minute, Yassine Bounou saved Mbappe’s penalty after a delay caused by movement around the area and the ball being shifted on the spot, according to Al Jazeera. Mbappe hesitated before taking the kick, and Bounou gathered a weak effort.

The missed penalty fit the tone of the first half. Al Jazeera described the opening period as tight and cautious, with both sides wary of leaving space behind while struggling to commit numbers in attack.

Morocco made the first push after halftime and forced a save with its only shot on target, Al Jazeera reported. But as the Atlas Lions tried to advance into French territory, they left gaps in defense, giving France room to attack.

Mbappe began finding space down the left, and in the 60th minute he put France ahead. The goal was his eighth of the tournament, according to Al Jazeera, keeping his scoring run alive at the World Cup.

Six minutes later, Mbappe turned provider for Dembele, who scored France’s second goal. Al Jazeera reported that Dembele’s strike was his fifth of the tournament, making France the first team in World Cup history to have two players score at least five goals in the same edition.

Morocco struggled to regain control after the second goal. The crowd, which had been full of “Dima Maghreb” chants, quieted as France’s supporters grew louder with “Allez les Bleus,” according to Al Jazeera.

Some Morocco fans credited France’s depth and quality after the match. Yaseen Maroufi told Al Jazeera that Moroccan supporters had hoped for a different outcome but were prepared for France to win, calling the French side an “unstoppable force” because of its starting lineup and bench strength.

“France are the team to beat, and it’s very hard to beat them at the moment,” Maroufi told Al Jazeera as he left the stadium.

French American supporter Claude Beyanoun, who attended with his son Zach, told Al Jazeera it was “wonderful” to watch France’s talent, as supporters looked ahead to the possibility of a young team contending for this World Cup and others.

Morocco fans left disappointed but not without hope. A supporter identified by Al Jazeera as Hamza said Morocco would have another chance in 2030, when the country is set to co-host the tournament. “We must carry on after the loss. This is football. This is life,” he said.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.