​Mbappé greeted everyone with warmth, insisting he was “very happy” after guiding France to a third consecutive World Cup semi-final, yet making clear that the team will not be satisfied until they lift the trophy. There’s no secret to this France squad, he said; the one and only way to relax is through winning. Until that goal is achieved, we won’t let up.
“We’re in the semi-finals and we’re very happy, but there’s a long way to go. We know what lies ahead is even tougher than what we’ve faced, but we’re ready to face anything,” Mbappé added. After a missed penalty, he produced a superb opening goal and set up Ousmane Dembélé for the other as Les Bleus defeated Morocco 2-0 to reach the last four, where they will meet either Spain or Belgium on Tuesday.
The looming duel with Messi is inevitable. France won the title in 2018 and fell in the 2022 final on penalties to Argentina. The potential July 19 final could see another captain’s clash between Mbappé and Lionel Messi. Not even a Mbappé hat-trick could secure back-to-back titles four years ago, though he won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals—one more than Messi. This time the two are tied at eight goals apiece in a dramatic race that also features Norway’s Erling Haaland (seven), Harry Kane of England (six), and Dembélé (five). Messi leads the all-time list with 21 goals, but Mbappé is not far behind on 20.
The French press did not spare praise. L’Equipe proclaimed Mbappé “Unstoppable” as the team chalked up a sixth win and a 16-2 goal difference. Mbappé has scored half of those goals, and Dembélé described him as “unbelievable,” while coach Didier Deschamps said that “you don’t have to worry when you have someone like Kylian in your team.” Mbappé shrugged off a brutal, physical Paraguay defense in the prior match and did not permit racist insults toward him by Paraguay senator Celeste Amarilla de Boccia to derail his focus on the pitch. He asserted that scoring is a team business and that “we are all fighting for France.”
Team spirit remains a standout feature. Mbappé acknowledged that a group featuring talents like Désiré Doué and Michael Olise must play with purpose and passion for France. The captain said, “There’s a lot of excitement and passion in France. Here, we are in our own bubble, and I am even more so. That’s what we’re here for, and the players have a duty to do everything they can to go as far as possible.” Deschamps suggested the possibility of stepping down on a high note after fourteen years if France reclaim the title, hinting at a potentially ideal exit. The comparison to Tom Brady—lauded here as the Tom Brady of France by some reminiscent of the American quarterback’s legendary dominance—flourishes in the media discourse surrounding his leadership and the team’s relentless pursuit of glory.