France ended Morocco’s impressive 39-match unbeaten streak with a commanding 2-0 victory at Gillette Stadium to book their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The quarter-final clash, a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final in Qatar, saw the French side produce a clinical second-half performance to eliminate the Atlas Lions from the tournament.
Morocco struggled to find their attacking rhythm for much of the encounter as France dominated possession and limited the North Africans to few clear opportunities in difficult conditions under the afternoon heat.
France threatened early, with Kylian Mbappé going close in the fourth minute as the Europeans quickly asserted their dominance.
The biggest moment of the first half arrived in the 25th minute when France were awarded a penalty after a challenge on Mbappé inside the box.
Following a lengthy VAR review lasting more than three minutes, the referee pointed to the spot.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou came to his side’s rescue, producing an excellent save low to his right to deny Mbappé and keep the scores level.
The Atlas Lions defended resolutely for the remainder of the half and went into the break with the match still goalless despite sustained pressure from the French attack.
France eventually made their dominance count in the 60th minute when Mbappé found space inside the penalty area and fired past Bounou to score his eighth goal of the tournament.
The lead was doubled just six minutes later as Mbappé turned provider, sliding a pass through to Ousmane Dembélé, who finished calmly after breaking through the Moroccan defence.
Morocco’s frustrations grew shortly afterwards when Issa Diop received the only yellow card of the match following a late challenge.
Despite trailing by two goals, Morocco continued to push forward and created several opportunities in the closing stages of the game. However, they were unable to find a way past the French defence and goalkeeper.
The defeat brings Morocco’s remarkable unbeaten run to an end and sees the Atlas Lions exit the tournament at the quarter-final stage.
France, meanwhile, advance to the semi-finals where they will face the winners of the quarter-final clash between Spain and Belgium as they continue their pursuit of another World Cup title.
