NEW DELHI: Kylian Mbappe bounced back from a rare penalty miss to inspire France to a 2-0 win over Morocco and book a place in FIFA World Cup semifinals for the third consecutive tournament. However, the win came with worry for France after Mbappe was forced off in the 77th minute with an ankle injury. The forward later assured fans that the issue was not serious. “I knocked the ankle, but I’m fine,” said Mbappé, who was replaced by Jean-Philippe Mateta. “At that point, JP was in better shape than I was to play the last few minutes.”
Mbappe recovered after the penalty miss
Mbappe had a disappointing moment in the first half when he failed to convert a penalty. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou guessed correctly and managed to save after Noussair Mazraoui fouled Mbappe inside the box in the 28th minute.France coach Didier Deschamps felt the lengthy VAR review before the penalty affected his star forward.“Kylian is ready to shoot,” said Deschamps. “I don’t want to find excuses for Kylian, but it’s not an easy situation. … We have to adjust.”Mbappe changed in the second half. In the 60th minute, he dribbled into the penalty area and fired a powerful shot inside the post to score his eighth goal of the tournament.Just six minutes later, he set up Ousmane Dembele for France’s second goal as the two-time champions sealed their place in the last four, where they will face either Spain or Belgium.
Fear of injury for France
France suffered a scare shortly after Mbappe’s goal when Morocco defender Issa Diop stepped on his ankle in the 63rd minute.Although Mbappe tried to continue, he eventually collapsed in pain and motioned to the bench. After treatment, he was substituted and watched the rest of the game with an ice pack on his right ankle.Deschamps eased concerns after the game.“It’s a bit of an ankle pain,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “Nothing serious.”
Golden Boot race Greenhouse
Mbappe’s goal took his tally to eight at the 2026 World Cup, leveling Argentina captain Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Mbappe is now ahead because he has more assists, which is the tiebreaker.The goal was also his 20th in just 20 World Cup games, leaving him just one behind Messi’s all-time World Cup tally of 21 goals.
The focus shifted to the semifinals
Despite reaching another World Cup semifinal, Mbappe insists France are far from complacent.“There is only one way to relax, and that is by winning,” said Mbappé. “Until we did that, we didn’t give up. We’re in the semifinals and we’re very happy, but we still have a long way to go. We realize that the future will be more difficult than what we’ve been through, but we’re ready to face anything.”France have now reached the semifinals of three consecutive World Cups with Mbappe in the squad and will be looking to continue that run when they face either Spain or Belgium for a place in the final.