Mbappé recovers from penalty miss to crush Morocco
France confidently flexed their tournament-winning credentials by shrugging off Morocco, beating the Atlas Lions 2-0 in Boston to seal the first spot in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals.
Kylian Mbappé’s uncharacteristic penalty miss in the first half - only his second failure from 16 spot kicks he’s taken for France - offered Morocco a lifeline. Still, the Real Madrid frontman wouldn’t afford Mohamed Ouahbi’s men the same mercy after the break, curling in a sumptuous effort right into the corner on the hour mark to deservedly give France the lead, moving him level with Lionel Messi on eight goals in the 2026 Golden Boot race.
Just six minutes later, the result was put beyond any doubt when 2025 Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé dribbled at Morocco’s backline, before calmly slotting an effort into the bottom corner, having been assisted by Mbappé.
This meant that France’s captain became the first player to record 10 or more goal involvements at multiple World Cups, with his eight goals and three assists bettering his return from 2022 (eight goals, two assists).
Morocco managed just 0.14 xG and one shot on target against a France side who have hit a seemingly unassailable rhythm.
The battle for all-time supremacy
On the day when Mbappé equalled Hugo Lloris’ record for the most appearances at a World Cup for France, he became the fourth player in 60 years to score, assist and miss a penalty in a match at the finals, with Messi also doing the same against Egypt earlier in the week.
Mbappé’s expertly taken opener ensured he’s now the second player in World Cup history to reach 20 goals in the competition’s history. The 27-year-old is just one strike behind Messi in the all-time charts and looks unstoppable.
Despite the saved penalty, which was excellently stopped by Yassine Bounou, Mbappé couldn’t be silenced. The unstoppable Frenchman’s 11-goal contributions are the most by a player in a single edition of the tournament since Gerd Müller in 1970 (10 goals, three assists). Mbappé is playing like a man on a mission to reclaim his World Cup crown.
Deschamps set for history in the semi-final
France’s headline-grabbing attack will receive nearly all the plaudits, but head coach Didier Deschamps is also set to reach uncharted territory.
The 2-0 victory over Morocco meant that Deschamps became the first coach to oversee 20 wins at the tournament, while this was his 25th World Cup match in charge of the national team, equalling the record of West Germany coach Helmut Schön.
Before this World Cup, there were questions about how France would get the best out of all their outstanding attacking talent. But the 57-year-old has emphatically brushed off these concerns, with Mbappe, Dembélé and Michael Olise all enjoying sensational tournaments.
Who wins the World Cup from here?
The second quarter-final is played in Los Angeles, where France will find out their opponents in a semi-final that takes place on Bastille Day.
It sees the reigning European champions Spain tussle with Belgium, with both sides unbeaten at this tournament and looking to exorcise the demons of 2022, where neither heavyweight advanced beyond the Round of 16.
Spain’s impenetrable defence
Spain’s defence is quietly and efficiently spearheading La Roja’s charge for a second World Cup trophy. Luis de la Fuente’s side still haven’t conceded at the tournament, and following their 1-0 victory over Portugal in the last 16, they became the first team in the competition’s history to keep six successive clean sheets.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 12th-minute effort was the first shot on target Spain faced in a first half at this World Cup. Despite Spain’s misfiring attack, Portugal didn’t manage a single shot on target in the second half, with substitute Mikel Merino’s well-taken 91st-minute stoppage-time winner settling the tie.
Goalkeeper Unai Simón, as well as defenders Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí have all started every game at the tournament, producing consistent and reliable performances to make Spain’s goal seem almost untouchable.
De la Fuente has pinpointed a successful formula and opted for continuity. So far, it has worked wonders, with Spain’s defence arguably the primary reason for their near-perfect progression into the quarter-finals.
Belgium’s scintillating attack comes alive
After consecutive draws in their opening two group matches against Egypt and Iran, which yielded just one goal, all eyes were on Belgium's underperforming attack.
With the threat of a premature exit from the competition looming, Rudi Garcia’s men delivered when it mattered most, netting 12 times in their next three games. Firstly, they thrashed New Zealand 5-1 to finish top of Group G, before sealing an extraordinary 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal.
Belgium then ended the United States’ World Cup dream in the last round, smashing the co-hosts 4-1. It was a productive outing for Charles De Ketelaere, who became the first Belgian player on record to be directly involved in three goals in a single World Cup match (two goals, one assist).
Once again, Romelu Lukaku made another notable contribution as a substitute, scoring his third goal off the bench in this tournament to add some serious gloss to the result against the United States.
History favours the Spanish
Belgium are still on the hunt for their first-ever major tournament title, while Spain aim to add the World title to the European crown they won in 2024.
The history points in favour of the Spanish, who are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings with Belgium in all competitions (W9 D2) – a run stretching back to 1980. Moreover, Spain have won their last five games against the Red Devils by an aggregate score of 13-1.
Given past fixtures and their current standings, Spain will be the overwhelming favourites to reach the semi-finals, where a mouthwatering tie against France could await them.
However, if their impressive array of midfield and attacking talent clicks on the day, Garcia’s side are more than capable of causing an upset.
