France Beats Morocco 2-0 as Mbappé Nets 8th Goal to Reach World Cup Semifinals

Q: Will Mbappé's ankle injury jeopardize France's quest for a third consecutive World Cup final?

Probably not, based on what is known now. Mbappé’s substitution in the 77th minute against Morocco did raise concern, and he was later seen with ice on his right ankle. But the immediate signs were reassuring: he walked off under his own power, did not appear in serious distress, and post-match scenes showed him celebrating normally with teammates and supporters. That points more to a precautionary withdrawal than a major injury. The broader context also matters. Mbappé was France’s decisive player in the 2-0 win, scoring once and assisting once, which suggests the issue did not significantly limit him during the match. There has been no indication yet from France that he is expected to miss the semifinal, and reports around the team suggest optimism that he will be available. That said, it remains a factor to monitor. France’s attack is heavily shaped by Mbappé’s pace, finishing and ability to draw defenders, so any reduction in his sharpness would matter, especially against a stronger semifinal opponent such as Spain or Belgium. Even a minor ankle problem can become more significant with only a few days of recovery between matches. For now, the evidence suggests this is an injury scare rather than a serious setback. Unless further medical updates reveal more damage, Mbappé’s ankle issue does not appear likely to derail France’s push for a third straight World Cup final.

Q: With an unbeaten Spain looming, can France's attack break a team that has recently had their number?

Yes — France have the attacking quality to hurt Spain, but this is likely to be their toughest test yet because Spain’s structure and recent record in the matchup suggest they can also expose France. The evidence for France is strong. Against Morocco, Didier Deschamps’ side generated 3.04 expected goals to just 0.14 conceded, with Kylian Mbappé scoring and assisting despite an early penalty miss. Ousmane Dembélé is also in form, and France’s front line has shown it can create chances in different ways: transition attacks, wide combinations and individual moments. Mbappé’s tournament output and France’s depth in attack make them one of the few teams capable of unsettling even an elite defense. But Spain are a very different challenge from Morocco. They arrive unbeaten, on a long unbeaten run, with a disciplined possession system and a midfield built to control tempo and limit transitions — the area where France are often most dangerous. Spain have also had the better of this rivalry recently, including wins in France’s past two meetings and a 5-4 victory in their latest encounter in June 2025. That matters because it suggests Spain have found ways to survive France’s firepower while still creating enough chances of their own. So the real question is less whether France can score on Spain than whether they can score enough. France’s attack is good enough to break Spain; the harder part may be preventing Spain from turning the game into one played on their terms.

3 articles · Updated · FOX Sports · Jul 9

France sealed a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Morocco in Foxborough, sending Les Bleus into the 2026 World Cup semifinals.
Mbappé scored his eighth goal of the tournament despite a saved first-half penalty, and Ousmane Dembélé added France’s second after sustained pressure.
Morocco barely threatened: its first shot on target came in the 82nd minute, it managed only five touches in France’s box to France’s 25, and created no big chances.
Yassine Bounou kept Morocco alive early with the penalty save, but France’s control echoed its 2-0 win over Morocco in the 2022 semifinal.
France, the 2018 champion and 2022 runner-up, will next face Spain or Belgium with a place in the final at stake.