France Advances to FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals After Defeating Morocco

France Triumphs Over Morocco in Quarter-Final

Boston [US], July 10: Following their quarter-final victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026, France midfielder Adrien Rabiot expressed confidence in his team's performance against Morocco, stating that they faced minimal threats from the opposition during their 2-0 win in Boston, according to a report from a French news outlet.

Morocco managed only five shots throughout the match, while France took 22, with eight of those on target, showcasing a significant disparity in offensive pressure.

Post-match, Rabiot noted that while Morocco had possession, they did not pose a significant danger, although he acknowledged their individual talents could change the game at any moment, necessitating constant vigilance from the French side.

“We sensed that when we allowed them to have the ball, they weren’t particularly threatening. We felt secure against this team, which was surprising. However, they possess extraordinary individual players who can make a difference at any time, so we must remain alert,” Rabiot commented during an interview with beIN Sports.

He commended the team's focus, resilience, and unity, especially after missing a penalty in the first half. Rabiot emphasized that reaching the semi-finals for the third consecutive time is a remarkable achievement, crediting the squad's strong camaraderie.

France previously won the World Cup in 2018 and finished as runners-up in 2022, and now they have advanced to the semi-finals once again in 2026.

“We maintained our focus and utilized the ball effectively, even after starting poorly with Bounou’s penalty save. Our determination and resilience were evident. We don’t take our third consecutive semi-final for granted; we are genuinely thrilled. The group is exceptional, united, and it’s magnificent,” Rabiot added.

In the match, France's captain Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele scored in the second half, propelling France into the final four of the tournament.

Despite facing some pressure from Morocco, France's attacking prowess ultimately proved decisive in the latter half.

Morocco began confidently, matching France's intensity and keeping their attack at bay initially. The Atlas Lions appeared dangerous on counter-attacks, with Brahim Diaz and Achraf Hakimi as key players, but they struggled to convert possession into clear scoring opportunities against a well-organized French defense.

France gradually took control of the match, creating more chances before halftime. Mbappe nearly scored and missed a penalty, leaving the score tied at the break.

The breakthrough came in the 60th minute when Mbappe executed a brilliant finish from inside the box, curling the ball past Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou after a clever assist from Desire Doue, marking his eighth goal of the tournament and tying him with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.

France extended their lead in the 66th minute with Dembele's right-footed shot from outside the box, which Bounou managed to touch but could not stop. This marked Dembele's fifth goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026, providing France with a crucial cushion as the match neared its conclusion.

Morocco continued to battle until the final whistle, but France's experience and composure allowed them to maintain their lead and secure a place in the semi-finals. This victory concluded Morocco's impressive World Cup journey, while France moves closer to claiming another title. The win sets up a semi-final match against either Spain or Belgium.