The FIFA World Cup reached a tense knockout stage as France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the first quarter-final, booking a place in the semi-finals.
France began on the front foot. In the 5th minute, Kylian Mbappe’s long-range effort was brilliantly saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Morocco held firm again in the 31st minute when Bounou denied Mbappe from the penalty spot, keeping the match goalless at half-time.
After the break, France increased the pressure. In the 60th minute, Mbappe broke through Morocco’s defence and finished clinically to give France the lead. The strike also took him to 20 goals in World Cup history, according to the report.
France doubled the advantage in the 66th minute when Mbappe set up Ousmane Dembele, who beat the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. Morocco pushed for a response but missed injured Ismail Saibari, while captain Achraf Hakimi’s free-kick chances went begging as France closed out the win.
Morocco were eliminated from the World Cup knockout rounds by France for a second straight time, exiting in disappointment as France marched on to the semi-finals.
