France secured a dominant 3-1 victory over Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinal on Thursday, booking their place in the semifinals. Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, and Antoine Griezmann each scored for Les Bleus, while Morocco's goal came from Sofiane Boufal.
First Half Dominance
France took control early, with Mbappe opening the scoring in the 17th minute. The Paris Saint-Germain star cut inside from the left and fired a low shot past Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Giroud doubled the lead in the 33rd minute, heading home a cross from Adrien Rabiot. Griezmann made it 3-0 just before halftime with a curling free kick from 25 yards.
Morocco's Response
Morocco fought back in the second half, with Boufal pulling one back in the 58th minute after a well-worked team move. However, France's defense held firm, and Morocco could not find a second goal. The Atlas Mountains' run to the quarterfinals was their best ever World Cup performance.
Key Statistics
France had 62% possession and 14 shots on goal, while Morocco managed 8 shots. Mbappe's goal was his fifth of the tournament, making him the joint top scorer alongside England's Harry Kane.
What's Next for France
France will face Argentina in the semifinals on Tuesday. Didier Deschamps' side are aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962. "We are very proud of this victory," said Deschamps. "Morocco were tough opponents, but we showed our quality."
