Mbappe powers France to third WC semis in row
MANILA, Philippines — France underscored their status as the World Cup’s team to beat on Thursday, overpowering African champions Morocco with a clinical 2-0 win to book their third consecutive semi-finals appearance.
Kylian Mbappe curled in his eighth goal of the tournament on 60 minutes before Ousmane Dembele doubled Les Bleus’ lead six minutes later to complete a drama-free victory at the Gillette Stadium outside Boston.
The win sends the 2018 champions into the last four, where they will face either Spain or Belgium at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas next Tuesday.
“I think that is three consecutive semifinals, so that’s already a good thing. It seems logical and natural, but you still have to achieve it,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.
“Obviously, I have great players, otherwise we wouldn’t get there, but it’s good.”
Morocco had been tipped to pose a serious threat to France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.
But Deschamps’ men were always in control against toothless opponents who failed to register a single shot on goal until the 83rd minute, when Azzedine Ounahi’s long-range strike was parried away by France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
France struggled to find an early breakthrough, and missed the opportunity to take the lead on 28 minutes when Mbappe had a penalty saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Mbappe had won the spot-kick after being brought down by Noussair Mazraoui but was forced to wait several minutes before being allowed to take the penalty after a protracted VAR check.
Morocco managed to hold out to half-time but it was always only a matter of time before France’s relentless pressure paid off.
The breakthrough came on the hour mark, with Mbappe bending a brilliant right-foot shot past Bounou from the edge of the area.
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