Key Takeaways
- France secured their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
- Mbappé scored a crucial penalty and a brilliant goal, helping France win 2-0 against Morocco.
- Les Bleus demonstrated resilience under pressure, advancing for a third consecutive time.
France have secured their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup with a dominant performance against Morocco. Freelance journalist Francis Collings, based in Paris, noted that France’s ability to withstand pressure when matches become difficult is a key strength for them as they aim to lift the trophy.
The match began with Morocco struggling to show much danger, spending most of the time in a low block to counter the French onslaught. In the 28th minute, Mbappé was fouled by Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui and won a penalty. After a confusingly prolonged Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check lasting three minutes, his spot-kick was saved by Yassine Bounou.
Despite the early setback, France maintained their dominance in the second half. Mbappé made amends with a brilliant goal in the 60th minute, curling past a defender to find the back of the Moroccan net, marking his eighth goal at the tournament. Ousmane Dembéle doubled the lead six minutes later, ensuring the scoreline remained 2-0 until the final whistle.
Collings highlighted France’s resilience under pressure as one of their key strengths. 'When it gets a bit difficult, they can hang in there,' he said, noting that this trait is crucial for their bid to win the trophy.
France's victory marks their third consecutive appearance in the semi-finals of the World Cup, showcasing their consistent performance and tactical prowess. Their next challenge will be to maintain this form against the remaining teams in the tournament.
The French team’s dominance was evident throughout the match, with Morocco failing to log a single shot on target in the first half. This strategic approach by Morocco did not yield results, as France continued their relentless attack and secured their place in the semi-finals.
With this victory, France has demonstrated their ability to handle pressure and maintain focus under intense scrutiny. Their next match will be against the winner of the Netherlands vs Argentina quarter-final, setting up an exciting clash for fans around the world.
'When it gets a bit difficult, they can hang in there.'
Francis Collings, Freelance journalist based in Paris
