France beat Morocco 2-0 to move into World Cup semi-finals

France eased into the semi-finals of the World Cup by defeating Morocco 2-0 on Thursday.

Kylian Mbappe bounced back from having a first-half penalty saved to score a stunning opener as France secured a 2-0 victory over Morocco in their World Cup quarter-final on Thursday.

Mbappe's tame spot-kick was comfortably saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, but the France captain responded in style with a superb curling effort to break the deadlock on the hour mark.

It was Mbappe's eighth goal of the tournament, drawing him level once more with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, before he was substituted late on and watched the closing stages with an ice pack on his right ankle.

Before making way, he also set up Ousmane Dembele to race through and seal the result in front of 63,811 spectators at the Boston Stadium, as France eliminated Morocco for the second World Cup in a row.

Their 2-0 victory over the Atlas Lions in Qatar four years ago came in the semi-finals, and this latest triumph sends Les Bleus back into the last four. They will now face Spain or Belgium in Dallas next Tuesday.

France are chasing a third straight World Cup final in what will be Didier Deschamps' last tournament before stepping down after a long spell in charge.

Champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, they have looked comfortable throughout the knockout stage and proved too strong for a Moroccan side missing attacking threat without the injured Ismael Saibari.

Mbappe is already one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation, and the World Cup continues to bring out the very best in him.

After scoring braces against Senegal and Iraq in the group stage, as well as in the Round of 32 win over Sweden, he netted the only goal from the penalty spot against Paraguay in the previous round.

He has now scored 20 goals in 20 World Cup appearances, leaving him just one behind Messi's tournament record of 21.

More was expected from Morocco, who enjoyed strong backing in the stands but struggled to create clear opportunities as France kept a third consecutive clean sheet in the knockout rounds.

Dembele also found the scoresheet, but Morocco still have plenty to be optimistic about. With exciting young talents such as former France Under-21 captain Ayyoub Bouaddi in midfield, they look well placed to challenge again when they co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

On Thursday, however, they became the latest side unable to contain Mbappe on the biggest stage.

The Real Madrid forward won the penalty after being brought down by Noussair Mazraoui following a rapid counter-attack in the 25th minute.

Argentinian referee Facundo Tello pointed straight to the spot, although a VAR review was required to confirm there had been no foul on Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi in the build-up.

Perhaps the delay affected Mbappe, whose unusually weak penalty was easily saved. It was a reminder that even he can make mistakes, just as Messi has after missing two penalties at this World Cup.

Bounou continued to frustrate France before the break, notably tipping Desire Doue's effort around the post after Bouaddi was dispossessed.

Lucas Digne also rattled the top of the crossbar from long range before France finally found the breakthrough 15 minutes into the second half.

Doue slipped a pass to Mbappe just outside the area, and the forward took a touch before using Issa Diop as a screen to bend a magnificent strike into the far corner.

France's all-time leading scorer now has 64 international goals in 104 appearances.

His pass in the 66th minute then released Dembele, who calmly curled a low finish into the same corner, with Bounou unable to keep it out despite getting a hand to the ball.

Dembele, the reigning Ballon d'Or holder, now has five goals at this World Cup, but once again it was Mbappe who stole the spotlight.