Mbappé Scores and Sets Up Dembele as France Secure World Cup Semi‑Final Spot

Kylian Mbappé powered France ahead against Morocco with a sensational second‑half strike, securing the Les Bleus a place in another World Cup semi‑final.

The French captain endured a frustrating first half after his penalty was dramatically saved by Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, leaving the scores level at 0‑0 at the break.

Kylian Mbappé scores stunning opener for France

Mbappé redeemed himself for the earlier miss with a spectacular goal.

In the 60th minute, Désiré Doué played the forward into space just outside the penalty area. The Real Madrid star took one touch and curled a sublime effort into the top‑right corner.

Bounou was left with no chance as the ball flew into the net.

The strike was Mbappé’s eighth of the tournament, tying him with Lionel Messi in the race for the golden boot.

Watch the goal below:

Is it magnificent?

Kylian Mbappé fires France ahead and it is a beauty of a goal pic.twitter.com/SlzlRh9Rmh

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 9, 2026

Ousmane Dembele doubles the lead for France

Six minutes after Mbappé’s opener, he squared the ball for Ousmane Dembele, who doubled the lead.

The 27‑year‑old slipped a pass into the path of Dembele; the attacker cut inside and guided a precise finish into the bottom‑right corner.

Bounou managed a fingertip save, but it wasn’t enough to keep the ball out. The quick‑fire double gave France a commanding advantage in the quarter‑final.

Watch the goal below:

Ousmane Dembélé extends France’s lead???

That’s two goals in six minutes ?? pic.twitter.com/QG7vxrOHgz

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 9, 2026

France reach third consecutive World Cup semi-final

France have secured a third consecutive World Cup semi‑final appearance.

France lifted the trophy in 2018 and returned to the final in 2022, where they suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Argentina in one of the greatest finals in World Cup history.

Les Bleus will now face either Spain or Belgium in the semi‑finals as they continue their quest for a second World Cup title in three tournaments.

With Mbappé delivering once again on the biggest stage, France remain genuine contenders to go all the way.

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