France secures semi‑final spot with 2‑0 win over Morocco, echoing 2022 quarter‑final scoreline

France secured a 2‑0 victory over Morocco in Thursday’s World Cup quarter‑final at Gillette Stadium, advancing to the semi‑finals for the third consecutive tournament. The win mirrors the scoreline of their last encounter four years ago in the Qatar semi‑finals.

The French pressed early, creating several chances at Gillette Stadium near Boston. Despite thirteen attempts before half‑time they were denied by a disciplined Moroccan defence and a keeper in fine form, Yassine Bounou, keeping the score at 0‑0.

The first half’s defining moment came when France captain Kylian Mbappé missed a penalty in the 28th minute. After a delay to take the spot‑kick, his effort was saved comfortably by Bounou.

Later in the stoppage time, Lucas Digne produced a spectacular 25‑metre strike that struck the crossbar.

Morocco, struggling to generate attacking opportunities, managed only one shot on target in the 82nd minute, by which time France led 2‑0.

Speaking after the match, France coach Didier Deschamps said, “They had no real forwards using their speed in the wide areas. We were in possession and they had no way to be dangerous to us.”

Despite France’s dominance, Morocco held firm until half‑time, adhering strictly to their tactical plan.

The breakthrough arrived in the 60th minute when Mbappé netted his eighth goal of the tournament and his twentieth at the World Cup. Six minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead, sealing the result and reviving painful memories for the Atlas Lions.

After a knock to his ankle, Mbappé left the pitch in the 78th minute to salute the supporters before being replaced by Jean‑Philippe Mateta.

“The future will be bright if we continue like this, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t want to win today. Of course, we wanted to win today,” said Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi after the game.

“We did everything we could to win, but we faced a very difficult opponent. It’s a disappointment, of course, but we’ll keep working for the future.”

The victory sends France into a third consecutive World Cup semi‑final on Tuesday. Their opponents will be decided on Friday after the match between Spain and Belgium.

French President Emmanuel Macron reacted on social media, expressing “pride” in the team’s performance against “an immense opponent this evening, as it was four years ago”.

“France are in the semi‑finals, with panache and fraternity,” Macron concluded.

The French embassy in Morocco praised the match as a “great moment of football”.

“One team continues to pursue its dream, the other can be proud of its exceptional journey,” the diplomats wrote on X, adding that the Franco‑Moroccan friendship “continues to be written day after day”.

Source link