Fifa World Cup: Kylian Mbappe fires France past Morocco
Africa must wait at least another four years to crown first world champion, Belgium or Spain stand in way of France and third straight final
Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty but curled in a superb goal on the hour as France struck twice in six minutes to brush aside Morocco 2-0 on Friday and book their spot in the World Cup semi-finals.
Striker Mbappe, who at 27 became the youngest player to rack up 20 World Cup appearances, also bagged his 20th finals goal with a precise shot from just inside the box before Ousmane Dembele struck home a low drive to set up a last-four meeting with Belgium or Spain.
France captain Mbappe is the tournament’s joint-top scorer with eight goals, level with Lionel Messi, and he trails the Argentine by one goal in the World Cup all-time scoring list.
In a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final, France looked the hungrier side throughout, with Morocco, aiming for a second straight last-four spot, badly missing injured striker Ismael Saibari and failing to aim a shot on target until the 84th minute.
The French, bidding to become only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals, started strongly with a couple of early chances.
Mbappe, who also equalled the all-time French record held by Hugo Lloris for World Cup matches, had an opportunity with a drive that Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou managed to tip wide.