France have done it again. In a quarterfinal rematch of their 2022 World Cup semifinal, Les Bleus dispatched Morocco 2-0 at Boston's Gillette Stadium to book their place in a third consecutive World Cup semifinal. The storyline everyone feared materialized early when Kylian Mbappé twisted his ankle in a challenge with Achraf Hakimi, but the world's best player shrugged off the pain and orchestrated the victory that has France looking like the team to beat.
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The Injury That Shook the Stadium
It happened in the 23rd minute. Mbappé drove inside from the left flank, Hakimi lunged in with a firm tackle, and the French captain's ankle buckled awkwardly beneath him. A collective gasp rippled through the 65,000-strong crowd. Medical staff rushed on. Mbappé tested the ankle twice, wincing visibly, before waving the stretcher away and jogging back into position. French manager Didier Deschamps later revealed that Mbappé told the bench just two words: "I stay."
Dembélé Breaks the Deadlock
With Mbappé operating at roughly eighty percent, the creative burden shifted to Ousmane Dembélé. And the Barcelona-turned-PSG winger delivered. In the 58th minute, Dembélé collected a raking Adrien Rabiot diagonal, cut inside past Nayef Aguerd, and curled a left-footed strike beyond Yassine Bounou into the far corner. It was Dembélé's fifth goal of the tournament and a moment of pure individual brilliance that silenced the pro-Moroccan contingent in Boston.
Mbappé's Revenge Moment
If there were lingering doubts about Mbappé's fitness, he answered them emphatically in the 71st minute. Manu Koné won possession in midfield and slid a through ball into the channel. Mbappé, despite the strapped ankle, accelerated past two defenders and slotted the ball calmly under Bounou. The celebration was subdued by his standards, a simple finger-to-lips gesture aimed at those who had written him off after the injury. It was his eighth goal of the tournament, pulling level with Lionel Messi atop the Golden Boot standings.
Morocco's Brave but Futile Resistance
Morocco arrived in Boston having stunned Portugal in the Round of 16 and riding the emotional wave of an entire continent. Coach Walid Regragui set up his side in a compact 4-1-4-1 that made France work for every inch of space. Azzedine Ounahi pulled the strings from deep, and Hakim Ziyech occasionally threatened on the counter. But without a clinical finisher to match the Mbappé-Dembélé axis, Morocco's resistance ultimately crumbled. The Atlas Lions can hold their heads high after two outstanding World Cup campaigns, but the semifinal barrier remains unbroken.
What the Mbappé Injury Means for France's Semifinal
The scan results came through late Thursday evening, and the news was encouraging. Mbappé sustained a mild lateral ligament sprain with no structural damage, meaning he is expected to be fit for the semifinal against either Argentina or Switzerland. French team doctor Franck Le Gall confirmed that the captain would undergo targeted treatment over the next 72 hours but was not in doubt for the next match. Still, the image of Mbappé limping but refusing to yield has already become one of the defining visuals of this World Cup.
France's Perfect Tournament Run
With six wins from six matches, France are the only unbeaten team left in the competition. Their defensive record is remarkable: just two goals conceded across the entire tournament, both from set pieces. Mike Maignan has been imperious in goal, and the William Saliba-Dayot Upamecano partnership at center-back has been arguably the best defensive pairing in the competition. Add Mbappé's eight goals, Dembélé's five, and a midfield engine room featuring Koné and Rabiot, and France look every inch the favorites to lift the trophy at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
Practical notes
France face the winner of Argentina vs Switzerland in the semifinal on Wednesday, July 16 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Kickoff is set for 8 PM ET. Morocco exit the tournament with their heads high, having reached the quarterfinals for a second consecutive World Cup. Mbappé's injury status will be updated daily by the French Football Federation. Fans looking for match replays can stream the full game on FOX Sports.
Tags: #WorldCup2026 #MbappeInjury #FranceVsMorocco #LesBleusQuarterfinal #Dembele #WorldCupSemifinal #FranceFootball #MoroccoFootball #BostonWorldCup #GoldenBoot2026 #FIFA2026 #WorldCupDrama
Sources consulted: fifa.com · espn.com · aljazeera.com
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