World Cup 2026: Mbappe and Dembele find the net as France eliminates Morocco to advance to the semi-finals.

France has advanced to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 2-0 triumph over Morocco, bringing an end to the Atlas Lions' remarkable run in the tournament. Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele netted goals in the second half, securing a spot in the final four, while Morocco can take pride in their impressive World Cup journey, showcasing their talent on a global stage and making Africa proud. The African team delivered a spirited performance at Gillette Stadium but struggled to contain France's attacking prowess, with Mbappe shining once again in a critical match. **Bono Keeps Morocco Alive as France Dominate Early Stages** France commenced the match aggressively, immediately challenging Morocco’s defense. Just four minutes in, Dayot Upamecano connected with a threatening cross, directing a low header toward the bottom-left corner, but Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bono showcased his skills with an exceptional save. France continued to press, forcing Morocco to defend deeply as Les Bleus sought the opening goal. The pressure seemed to bear fruit in the 25th minute when Noussair Mazraoui was penalized for a foul in the box, prompting referee Facundo Tello to award a penalty to France after consulting his assistant. However, following a VAR review, the decision was scrutinized before Kylian Mbappe stepped forward. The France captain aimed to place his penalty into the bottom-right corner, but Bono anticipated the shot perfectly, making another crucial save to keep the match scoreless. **Morocco Resist Pressure But France Keep Creating Chances** Morocco continued to fight against France’s offensive threats, with Bono consistently intervening to prevent a breakthrough. In the 35th minute, Desire Doue found space after an impressive solo run into the penalty area and attempted to guide his shot into the bottom-left corner, but Bono made yet another fantastic stop to maintain the deadlock. France came closest to scoring before halftime when Lucas Digne unleashed a powerful long-range effort in stoppage time, only to see his shot ricochet off the crossbar. Despite Morocco’s defensive tenacity, France eventually broke through after the break. **Mbappe and Dembele Seal Morocco's Exit** The breakthrough came in the 60th minute when Mbappe received the ball from distance and calmly finished, placing his shot inside the right post to put France in the lead. Morocco attempted to respond, but France’s attacking players continued to pose a threat, doubling their advantage just six minutes later. Mbappe turned provider, assisting Ousmane Dembele at the edge of the box. Although Dembele’s shot was not flawlessly executed, it found its way into the bottom-right corner, making it 2-0. This victory dashed Morocco's hopes of achieving further historic success in the World Cup, while France moved one step closer to reclaiming the trophy. France will now meet the winner of the quarter-final clash between Belgium and Spain in the semi-finals.