France Defeats Morocco 2-0 to Reach World Cup Semifinals

France advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup after a 2-0 victory over Morocco in Boston. The French team, led by coach Didier Deschamps, overcame a tough first half where Morocco's defense held strong despite playing without a natural striker. The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Morocco's right-back Noussair Mazraoui fouled Kylian Mbappe in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick. However, Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Mbappe's attempt, keeping the score level at halftime.

In the second half, Morocco adopted a more attacking approach, which created space for France to exploit. Mbappe scored a stunning goal from the edge of the box in the 60th minute to give France the lead. Six minutes later, Ousmane Dembele doubled the advantage with a swift counterattack goal, effectively sealing Morocco's fate. Despite Morocco's late efforts to score, France's goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who has conceded only twice in six matches, maintained a clean sheet.

With this win, France will rest and prepare to face the winner of the quarterfinal match between Belgium and Spain in the semifinals scheduled for the following Tuesday. Morocco's strong tournament run ends here, but they earned praise for their defensive resilience and competitive spirit throughout the competition.