In a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, France once again came out on top with a convincing 2-0 win over Morocco, who never seemed to get out of first gear.
The Atlas Lions had a clear game plan from the start. Since they knew they couldn’t match Les Bleus blow for blow, they instead sat deep and compact to absorb pressure and hit France on the counter.
In the first half, despite 13 shots, Les Bleus could not convert their chances. Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou played a huge part, making three saves, including stopping a penalty from Kylian Mbappé in the 28th minute.
But offensively, Morocco couldn’t capitalize, ending the half with only one shot from an off-target Achraf Hakimi free kick.
But sitting deep and compact against France’s vaunted attacking unit can only work for so long, and in the 60th minute of the second half, Mbappé broke the deadlock when he received a pass from Désiré Doué near the Moroccan’s penalty area, before bending a shot around Issa Diop and into the top corner past Bounou for the lead.
It was Mbappé’s eighth goal of the tournament, tied with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, giving him 20 World Cup goals in only his third World Cup appearance.
And just six minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé doubled the score for Les Bleus when Mbappé laid off a pass to the two-time UEFA Champions League winner. Mbappé then made a run, drawing a couple of Moroccan defenders, giving Dembélé enough time and space to fire a shot past Bounou into the bottom right corner.
Morocco showcased a better offensive display in the second half with four shots (one on target), but couldn’t convert when it mattered, as the Atlas Lions became the final African nation to be eliminated from the World Cup.
France will now prepare for its semi-final match on July 14, when it takes on either the reigning European champions Spain or Belgium.
Delivered by Sean Paul
