Mbappe, Dembele fire France into World Cup semi-finals

France booked their place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals with a convincing 2-0 victory over Morocco, as second-half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele ended the Atlas Lions’ impressive campaign.

After a goalless first half in Massachusetts, Les Bleus found their breakthrough after the restart to secure a deserved win and move within one match of the World Cup final.

France dominated the opening exchanges, creating several early chances through Mbappe and Dayot Upamecano, but Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced a series of fine saves to keep his side in the contest.

The 2018 champions missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 28th minute when Mbappe’s penalty, awarded after the forward was brought down in the box, was comfortably saved by Bounou following a lengthy VAR review.

France continued to press before halftime, with Adrien Rabiot heading over from close range and Lucas Digne striking the crossbar, but Morocco held firm to go into the break level.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 60th minute when Mbappe cut inside from the left and curled a superb effort beyond Bounou to hand France the lead.

Morocco appealed for a handball in the build-up, but after a VAR review the goal stood.

France doubled their advantage six minutes later as Dembele drove through midfield before firing a low shot from outside the penalty area. Although Bounou got a hand to the effort, he could not prevent the ball from finding the net.

Morocco pushed forward in search of a response, with Azzedine Ounahi testing Mike Maignan from distance and Neil El Aynaoui heading into the side netting, but the French defence remained resolute.

Mbappe was substituted in the closing stages after receiving treatment for a minor knock, while Bradley Barcola and Jean-Philippe Mateta both came close to adding a third goal before the final whistle.

The victory sends Didier Deschamps’ side into the World Cup semi-finals, while Morocco exit the tournament after another determined performance despite falling short against the former world champions.