The excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage reached a new high as the first quarter-final match took place on July 10 at Boston Stadium, featuring France against Morocco. Neither team was able to break the deadlock during the first half, leaving the scoreboard at 0-0 as the players headed into the break. However, the intensity shifted dramatically in the second half when the star power of the French side took control. With goals from Kylian Mbappé and Dembélé, France secured a 2-0 victory, firmly cementing their place in the tournament's semi-finals. This triumph marks a significant milestone as France has now reached the World Cup semi-finals for the third time in a row. They now await the winner of the quarter-final clash between Spain and Belgium to determine their next opponent in the final four.
A Missed Penalty Opportunity
From the opening whistle, the French team demonstrated an aggressive approach, hoping to gain an early advantage. They were handed a golden opportunity in the very first minute when the referee awarded them a penalty. Kylian Mbappé stepped up to take the shot, but Morocco's goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, showcased exceptional reflexes and awareness to block the attempt, preventing the ball from hitting the back of the net. Following this early drama, the rest of the first half remained goalless, setting the stage for a tense battle in the second half.
The Second Half Dominance of Mbappé and Dembélé
Upon returning to the pitch, France maintained their high pressure, which finally paid off in the 60th minute. Kylian Mbappé delivered a powerful strike from outside the box that soared past the keeper to put France ahead 1-0. The momentum stayed firmly with France, and just six minutes later, in the 66th minute, Dembélé scored, extending the lead to 2-0 and effectively sealing the victory for his side. With this performance, Kylian Mbappé has now climbed to the top of the race for the Golden Boot, boasting a total of 8 goals in the tournament so far. Looking at the broader history of the World Cup, Mbappé is now closing the gap on the all-time scoring leader, trailing only Lionel Messi. Messi currently holds the record with 21 career goals in the tournament, while Mbappé has reached an impressive tally of 20 goals.
