​FOXBORO — Thursday afternoon closed this World Cup chapter in Boston Stadium with a flourish as France subdued Morocco in a display that bordered on a sequel to the 2022 semifinals. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé produced sensational goals in the second half, sealing a 2-0 victory that sent France into the semifinals while the North African side bowed out under bright sunshine and a crowd of 63,811. Dembélé’s brace of moments in the knockout stage continued the momentum from his earlier group-stage form, including a hat trick against Norway in the same venue, and offered further evidence of France’s status as the tournament’s leading favorites.
France’s journey to the last four was marked by a calm, controlled demeanor from Didier Deschamps, who spoke through a translator about balancing composure with the players’ obligation to give everything on the pitch. “We are in our own bubble here — myself especially,” he said. “I want to remain calm and collected. But the players have a duty to give everything on the pitch. At times, we’re not succeeding, but we have now taken another step today — again reaching the semifinals. And now we’re here.” With Dallas awaiting the winner of Friday’s Spain-Belgium clash, France are set for a third consecutive semifinal appearance, a run that underscores the depth and resilience of this squad.
Dembélé expressed gratitude for the support that seems to flow from France’s fanbase everywhere, saying, “We can actually feel the support throughout France. We’re going to need it for the semifinal and to reach the end.” Mbappé, speaking through a translator as well, added, “I don’t know if we are on a mission, but there is only one way for us to release the tension and it’s to get the victory.” The pair’s confidence reflected a team that has shown a blend of clinical finishing and collective discipline throughout the campaign.
The match turned on a decisive moment less than six minutes after the second-half restart. Mbappé, who had already been dangerous, drove through the center and drew defenders toward him, creating space for Dembélé to pick his moment from roughly 40 yards out. Dembélé took a couple of touches to his right, settled, and unleashed a shot that found the far post and eluded Bounou’s reach, giving France a critical lead that Morocco could not overturn.
Dembélé’s recent remarks underscored his readiness for the stage. “We were not surprised by Morocco’s quality,” he said, acknowledging their opponents’ strengths. “We knew they were great.” Deschamps, reflecting on the overall performance, admitted that France missed a few early opportunities but reiterated his faith in Mbappé. “Kylian is never doubting himself,” he noted after a defensive and goalkeeping duel in the early minutes, where Bounou’s quick reflexes denied a Dayot Upamecano header and another shot from a Doue drive that tested the Moroccan keeper.
France’s opportunities kept surfacing as the first half wore on. Lucas Digne tested Bounou with a long-range strike from 35 yards that struck the crossbar just before halftime, a close call that kept the sides level as France pressed for the opener. Digne’s effort, which glanced off Bounou’s glove and ricocheted over the top, encapsulated the fine margins that defined a tense first period.
In the end, France’s efficiency in front of goal proved the difference. Mbappé’s continued menace, combined with Dembélé’s decisiveness, delivered the decisive moments and crowned a performance that reinforced why Deschamps’ squad is being talked about as the team to beat in this tournament. Morocco, for their part, had shown resilience and tenacity, but France’s quality in the final third ultimately prevailed, closing this World Cup chapter in Boston with a victory that felt almost inevitable in the face of their on-pitch swagger and the belief that this is France’s time to push for glory.