Kylian Mbappe hit a milestone of 20 World Cup goals in Foxborough as France sealed a 2-0 quarter-final win over Morocco and a place in the last four.
France started on top in the first half with good saves from the African side’s stopper, Bono, preventing both Mbappe and his French team-mate Dayot Upamecano. After weathering the initial storm, Morocco grew into the match and were frustrating France’s forward players with a solid, disciplined defence.
Mbappe then missed the perfect chance to open the scoring just before half-time, but despite his strong penalty appeal and being taken down by Noussair Mazraoui, Bono correctly predicted the trajectory and made the save.
France broke through on the hour, as Mbappe rounded the defence, then curling an absolute top corner effort beyond the reach of Morocco’s custodian, the 27-year-old now has 20 World Cup goals.
The Real Madrid attacker got his assist as Ousmane Dembele scored from a sharp pass following the clever movement from the striker, a cool finish to make it 2-0 to France.
Morocco put pressure on late in the match, but with only the third consecutive clean sheet recorded by France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan, it was comfortable at the end.
France can look forward to a semi-final with either Belgium or Spain, hoping to make it three consecutive finals of the FIFA World Cup.
