Mbappé Scores and Sets Up Dembélé as France Beat Morocco to Reach World Cup Semis

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (AP): Kylian Mbappé delivered a goal and a setup after failing from the spot in the opening period, Ousmane Dembélé found the net as well, and France defeated Morocco 2-0 on Thursday in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Mbappé struck in the 60th minute for his 20th career World Cup goal — matching his 20th appearance at the tournament — leaving him one goal adrift of Argentina skipper Lionel Messi. Dembélé added his fifth strike of the competition in the 66th.

The French star went down under a challenge in the 76th minute and left the pitch for a replacement a minute later. He was later seen on the bench with an ice pack strapped to his right ankle. Once the final whistle sounded, Mbappé — boots back on — sprinted and leapt with his colleagues in celebration.

Les Bleus will meet either Spain or Belgium in the semifinals in Dallas on Tuesday.

France had already beaten Morocco by the identical margin in the last-four stage at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, when the Atlas Lions became the first African side to reach that round. The defending champions are now poised to become only the third country to contest three straight World Cup finals.

Mbappé's finish came from a precise effort tucked inside the far post after Morocco could not clear their lines. He collected possession just outside the box, advanced a few paces, and curled his effort beyond the goalkeeper. Arms spread wide, he raced to the touchline to join the French contingent.

The second goal followed a neat exchange: Mbappé received a pass, laid it back to Dembélé, and continued his run to draw defenders away, creating room for his teammate to fire home.

France finished with 21 attempts to Morocco's four and led 8-1 in efforts on target.

"We are very disappointed. We wanted to go on," Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said. "When we had ball possession, our transitions were not great and we had to run a little more. Their players were in their comfort zone."

Mbappé had earlier forced the game's first attempt on goal, steering wide of the right upright in the fourth minute. In the 25th, he was brought down inside the area by Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui while driving along the left flank. Referee Facundo Tello immediately awarded a penalty.

A prolonged video review delayed the kick, and Mbappé was not allowed to take it until the 28th minute. After a brief pause in his run-up, his effort toward the right-hand corner was read correctly by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who made the save.

Mbappé had converted his only previous penalty at this World Cup during France's 1-0 round-of-16 victory over Paraguay.

Despite the missed spot kick, France dominated attacking play before the interval, outshooting Morocco 13-1.

The Atlas Lions' clearest opening arrived moments before the break when Achraf Hakimi bent a free kick from just outside the box beyond the right post.