Kylian Mbappé had just missed a penalty, the kind of miss that might have rattled a lesser player. But with the game drifting and Morocco clinging to the hope of an implausible rearguard action, he produced a goal from nowhere – a stunning opener that ended Moroccan resistance and sent France into the World Cup semi-finals.
The 2-0 victory at Boston Stadium was never quite as comfortable as the scoreline suggests, at least until Mbappé intervened. France had dominated the first half, with Yassine Bounou saving a Dayot Upamecano header and keeping out a Desiré Doué effort, while Lucas Digne smacked a drive against the bar. By the time Morocco registered their first attempt – a free kick slashed wide in first-half injury time – France had had 13 chances.
“Mbappé scores stunning opener after penalty miss as France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach World Cup semi-finals.”
But the breakthrough would not come until Mbappé, now with eight goals this World Cup, curled home a mesmerising strike. He then turned provider, teeing up Ousmane Dembélé for the second. Mbappé went off with 13 minutes remaining to a deserved ovation.
The penalty miss had come after a long VAR check – three minutes and 10 seconds – for what seemed a straightforward decision when Noussair Mazraoui tripped Mbappé. Perhaps the delay spooked him: his kick was hit limply to Bounou’s left. For Bounou, a reputed penalty specialist, it was the first time he had saved a penalty for his country outside of shootouts.
Morocco, who had beaten France in the semi-final in Qatar, had intended to hurt the side that had edged them four years ago. But France pressed so well that Morocco soon accepted they had no option but to retreat and endure. As the Guardian’s Jonathan Wilson observed: “What is a defence supposed to do? Perhaps France have gone too early. But if they do sustain this form, it is going to take something remarkable to prevent them winning their third World Cup in 28 years.”