Kylian Mbappé went from near-hero to hero in the space of 13 second-half minutes, missing a penalty before scoring a stunning opener and then teeing up Ousmane Dembélé as France beat Morocco 2-0 to move into the World Cup semi-finals.
For much of the first half at Boston Stadium, a French goal seemed only a matter of time. When Mbappé, released by Michael Olise after Achraf Hakimi had been dispossessed by Désiré Doué, was tripped in the box by Noussair Mazraoui, the 2022 champions had the perfect opportunity. But a VAR check and a delay for Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to return to his line took three minutes and 10 seconds – inexplicably long for what seemed a straightforward decision. Perhaps the delay spooked Mbappé: his kick was hit limply to Bounou’s left and the keeper saved easily. For Bounou, who has a reputation as a penalty specialist, it was the first time he had saved a penalty for his country outside of shootouts.
“Kylian Mbappé scored a stunning opener and set up another as France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the World Cup semi-finals.”
Bounou pushed away a Dayot Upamecano header and kept out a Doué effort low to his right, and Lucas Digne smacked a drive against the bar. By the time Morocco had their first effort on goal – a free kick slashed wide in the final minute of first-half injury time – France had had 13 chances. The breakthrough would not come in the first half.
Just as the game began to drift and there was a sense Morocco might conceivably pull off an implausible rearguard action, Mbappé produced a goal from nowhere. He curled a mesmerising opener past Bounou to score his eighth goal of this World Cup, atoning for his earlier miss. Then, after Morocco had no option but to retreat and endure, he set up Dembélé for the second. With 13 minutes remaining, Mbappé went off to a deserved ovation.
France’s relentlessness and attacking quality make them seem irresistible. If they can sustain this form, it is going to take something remarkable to prevent them winning their third World Cup in 28 years.