Mbappé and Dembélé Propel France Into World Cup Semifinals with Win Over Morocco

France Advances to Third Consecutive World Cup Semifinal

The 2026 World Cup reached a critical stage as France secured a 2-0 victory over Morocco, maintaining their perfect record in the tournament. With six wins and no need for extra time, Les Bleus continue their dominant run.

Kylian Mbappé once again made an impact, scoring early in the second half to extend his lead over Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. Both have eight goals now, but Mbappé holds the edge with more assists. Moments after his goal, Ousmane Dembélé sealed the win for France. This marks France’s third straight World Cup semifinal appearance.

Mbappé was substituted late in the game after sustaining a knock, though his injury does not appear serious. France will next face the winner of the upcoming quarterfinal between Belgium and Spain.

World Cup Quarterfinals Schedule

• Final Score: France 2, Morocco 0
• Friday, July 10, 3 p.m. ET (Fox): Belgium vs. Spain
• Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m. ET (Fox): Norway vs. England
• Saturday, July 11, 9 p.m. ET (Fox): Argentina vs. Switzerland

Spain vs. Belgium Preview

Spain has been flawless defensively, scoring nine goals without conceding any throughout the tournament. They are the first team ever to keep six consecutive clean sheets at a World Cup. Goalkeeper Unai Simón leads with five clean sheets and has allowed no goals in 609 minutes.

Belgium stunned fans by defeating the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16. Despite missing key players like Kevin De Bruyne and facing an injury to Amadou Onana, Belgium's tactical play disrupted the American press and created multiple scoring chances. Coach Rudi Garcia’s squad is expected to press aggressively, especially late in games.

Belgium’s experienced core—including De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Romelu Lukaku—aims to make a deep run before their likely final World Cup appearances together.

Anticipating Goals in Spain vs. Belgium

Given Belgium's offensive push and Spain's solid defense, both teams might find the net despite Spain’s spotless record so far. Belgium’s midfield strength could challenge Spain's defensive discipline, making it plausible for both sides to score.

Other Quarterfinal Highlights

England achieved a remarkable victory at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, setting up a clash with Erling Haaland's Norway on Saturday. England hopes to build on this win to advance further than usual in knockout stages.

Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic of the USMNT faced criticism from former star Carli Lloyd amid reports of a leg injury that limited his performance in the loss to Belgium. This match drew a record-breaking 33 million viewers in the U.S., highlighting soccer's growing popularity nationwide.

Golden Boot Race Tightens

Kylian Mbappé reclaimed the top spot in the Golden Boot contest after scoring his eighth goal against Morocco, edging past Lionel Messi who also has eight goals but fewer assists. Both players missed penalties in the same match, showing the intense pressure they face. Mbappé’s fitness seems good despite a brief ankle issue after being subbed off.

Looking Ahead

France now waits for the outcome of Spain versus Belgium before the semifinals on Tuesday. Fans anticipate thrilling clashes among some of the sport’s biggest names: Mbappé, Messi, Haaland, and Kane. The tournament continues to deliver unforgettable moments, with several players closing in on double-digit goal totals.