​France advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Morocco, yet the win also carried its share of nerves. Kylian Mbappé had to leave the pitch late on after a heavy challenge from Issa Diop, with an ice pack applied to his right ankle. The moment sparked concern among fans, even as France controlled the match. Mbappé had already contributed decisively by scoring the opener and assisting Ousmane Dembélé for the second goal. In the 78th minute, Mbappé was replaced by Jean-Philippe Mateta as a precaution, giving France a comfortable lead to protect.
Diop’s foul on Mbappé earned a yellow card and generated fears of a serious issue, given Mbappé’s visible pain and the momentary halt in play. The French coach Didier Deschamps opted not to risk further complications, especially since his team was already two goals ahead and in control of the contest. Moments after Mbappé sat on the bench with an ice pack, anxious images circulated among supporters, raising questions about his fitness for the upcoming knockout games.
In post-match interviews, Mbappé sought to reassure everyone. Speaking to beIN Sports and M6, he said, “I’m fine, I took a knock to the ankle but everything is okay. At that moment Mateta was more suited than me to play the last 15 minutes.” Deschamps echoed the sentiment, noting that it was a minor ankle issue and that “the matches keep coming,” emphasizing the need to manage players’ workloads as the tournament progresses.
Mbappé’s night had already been eventful: he endured a missed penalty in the first half, then delivered a goal after the break and set up the second goal with a precise assist. With this performance, he tallies eight goals and three assists at the 2026 World Cup, following eight goals and two assists in Qatar 2022. His continued influence has cemented his status as a transformative player, with a historic milestone: the first footballer to reach at least ten direct goal involvements in two different World Cup editions.
France now awaits the semifinal, with Mbappé’s health the major talking point as teams prepare for the next round. While the star forward has conveyed reassurance, the ankle will undoubtedly be monitored closely in the hours ahead as France eyes a potential place in the final stages of the tournament.
This article was translated into English by artificial intelligence. The original version can be read in Italian here. For better SEO, consider clicking the link to view the Italian text.