France secures semi-final victory
France has defeated Morocco 2-0, moving closer to a third consecutive final. This match was a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, where France also won by the same scoreline. Kylian Mbappé played a significant role in the victory, contributing to both goals.
Mbappé initially missed a penalty kick against Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The penalty was awarded after Noussair Mazraoui tripped Mbappé. The VAR check for the penalty took over three minutes, and Mbappé’s subsequent shot was saved by Bounou, who is known as a penalty specialist.
Despite the missed penalty, Mbappé later scored with a curled shot from the edge of the box. He also provided an assist for France’s second goal, scored by Ousmane Dembélé. Dembélé’s goal was his fifth of the tournament, though Mbappé’s eight goals have largely overshadowed this.
Morocco’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, made several key saves throughout the match, including two early stops against Mbappé’s 20-yard shot and Dayot Upamecano‘s close-range header. He also tipped Lucas Digne‘s shot onto the bar just before half-time, highlighting his strong performance.
Mbappé’s impact on the tournament
Kylian Mbappé’s performance in the current World Cup has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi, with both players competing for the Golden Ball, Golden Boot, and the World Cup title. Mbappé has now equaled Messi’s eight goals in the United States portion of the tournament, bringing his total World Cup goal tally to 20 in as many matches.
Mbappé’s influence extends beyond his scoring. He has been described as a player with exceptional speed, power, and footwork. His ability to perform under pressure has been a consistent theme throughout his career, from his childhood aspirations to play for France and Real Madrid to his current status as a leading goalscorer in French football history and a key player for Madrid.
His presence on the field often dictates the flow of the game, and his teammates, including Didier Deschamps, have noted his leadership qualities. Mbappé’s personality and outspokenness, particularly on social and political issues, have also garnered significant attention during the tournament.
Morocco’s tournament journey
Morocco, who were the first African team to reach the semi-finals in 2022, have now become the first to achieve back-to-back quarter-final appearances. In their match against France, Morocco adopted a more defensive approach, focusing on congesting the midfield rather than deploying an out-and-out striker.
This strategy resulted in France having 13 shots before Morocco registered their first. By the hour mark, Morocco’s expected goals (xG) stood at 0.06. Despite a late surge, including a header from Neil El Aynaoui in the 84th minute that went into the side netting, Morocco was unable to overcome France’s lead.
The match saw France’s victory end African involvement in the World Cup. Mbappé, who has Algerian and Cameroonian heritage, was a central figure in this outcome. Following the match, Mbappé was seen with an ice pack on his right foot, though he celebrated with his team after the final whistle, suggesting it was a precautionary measure rather than a serious injury concern for the upcoming semi-final against either Spain or Belgium.
The semi-final match for France is scheduled to take place on Bastille Day.
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Source: independent.co.uk
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Charlie Bradshaw is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with ten years of reporting experience. He covered Merseyside football before going national. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Liverpool John Moores University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Liverpool, he watches non-league sides and collects old match programmes. “The back page is only ever half the story.”