As we edge closer and closer to the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we leave the Round of 16 and all of the chaos and goals in the rear-view mirror and drive straight into the Quarter Final action. To kick things off in this round of the World Cup, we have a rematch of the 2022 semi-final as France take on Morocco in Boston.
Didier Deschamps opted for just the one change to his French side’s starting XI from the 1-0 win over Paraguay in the Round of 16, with Bradley Barcola returning to the bench and being replaced on the left wing by his PSG teammate Désiré Doué. Kylian Mbappé was leading the line, looking to draw level with Lionel Messi in the tournament’s goalscoring race.
Mohamed Ouahbi opted for two changes to his Moroccan starting XI from the side that started the 3-0 win over co-hosts Canada in the Round of 16. The one change was a forced one with Chemsdine Talbi replacing standout striker Ismael Saibari, who was injured early in the Canada clash. The other change saw Redouane Halhal drop to the bench, and he was replaced at the back by Anass Salah-Eddine.
General view inside the stadium before the match
Mike Segar
World Cup Quarterfinals – France vs Morocco
France started the game really well, pushing Morocco back into their own half and applying early pressure. Mbappé saw his shot in the opening minutes go wide of the post; Upamecano then saw his close-range header well saved by Bounou; and Désiré Doué’s effort on goal was well blocked by the Moroccan defense, all in the opening 10 minutes.
Dembele had a couple of chances to open the scoring either side of the 20th minute mark, but his first was a header that he looped wide, and his long-range effort was well blocked. Adrien Rabiot was the next French player to come close, but his header flew over the bar.
A few minutes later, though, the French pressure finally paid off when Kylian Mbappé made a blistering run down the left side and was just too quick for Noussair Mazraoui, who was brought down by the Moroccan defender as he flew into a challenge, and the penalty was awarded.
France’s Kylian Mbappé scores their first goal
DAVID BUTLER II
After a lengthy wait, around 3 minutes or so, from the time the penalty was awarded until Mbappe was allowed to take it, the French forward stepped up and took an awful penalty down the middle right side of the goal that was comfortably saved by Bounou, and Mbappe had missed his chance to draw level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Jules Kounde all had shots blocked, saved, or sent wide a few minutes after Mbappe’s penalty miss, but France couldn’t generate enough quality chances to really trouble Bounou or the Moroccan defense. Kone and Olise tried desperate long-range attempts that got comfortably blocked, and both teams headed into the half-time break with a goalless draw.
Desire Doué had a great chance coming out of the half-time break to grab an early 2nd-half goal for France, but Yassine Bounou produced a brilliant save to his left to deny the PSG winger an early lead. Mbappe then blazed one over the bar from inside the box, and it was looking like the French were getting more and more frustrated as the game went on.
France’s Ousmane Dembele celebrates scoring their second goal
Dylan Martinez
The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark, and of course, it was only going to be one man who opened the scoring. Kylian Mbappé picked up the ball just inside the box and rifled a beautiful, curling shot that started just outside the post and curled back into the far corner to grab his 8th goal of the tournament and France’s first goal of the game.
Morocco struggled to recover after going 1-0 down, and France took advantage, grabbing a 2nd goal just 6 minutes after Mbappé opened the scoring. After a brilliant run from Ousmane Dembele, the PSG forward curled a low shot around the defender and into the bottom corner to grab his 5th of the tournament.
France took the final 15 minutes to slow the pace and give Morocco more of the ball, and the African nation went in search of a way back into the game with 15 minutes remaining. Azzedine Ounahi had an effort from outside the box, well saved by French goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Neil El Aynaoui had a great chance from a corner at the front post, but his header was just too wide of the post and nestled into the side netting.
France’s Kylian Mbappe shakes hands with Michael Olise after the match
DAVID BUTLER II
France had the best chances in the remaining 10 minutes, when Jean-Philippe Mateta headed over the bar after getting to a cross ahead of Bounou. Mateta then saw his shot from the middle of the box well saved by Bounou. France cruised through the final few minutes, and, just like they did in 2022 in the semi-finals, the 2018 champions knocked out Morocco with a 2-0 scoreline, this time in the Quarter Finals.
Day 2 of the Quarterfinals
The Quarter Final action continues on Friday when two more nations go head-to-head knowing that a date with France awaits them in the Semi Finals. Spain, coming off the back of ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career, plays Belgium, who are coming off a huge 4-1 win over co-hosts USA.
Spain
vs.
Morocco
Friday,
July 10,
3 pm ET
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Fox, Fox One, Telemundo, Peacock