---
title: "Mbappe Saves France Again: The 'Tricolours' Reach the 2026 World Cup Semi-Finals with a Historic Record on the Horizon"
description: "France in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals! 🇫🇷 Mbappe secured victory over Morocco (2:0) and approached Maradona's record for World Cup goals. But Deschamps has a reason for worry: the captain suffered an injury. 🚑⚽"
date: 2026-07-10T06:52:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/france-in-2026-world-cup-semifinals-mbappe-vs-morocco
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Mbappe Saves France Again: The 'Tricolours' Reach the 2026 World Cup Semi-Finals with a Historic Record on the Horizon

![France national football team in light blue kits before the match, Mbappé with captain's armband, team holding French flag, WC-2026](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/10/frantsiya-v-polfinale-chm-2026-mbappe-protiv-marokko/frantsiya-v-polfinale-chm-2026-mbappe-protiv-marokko-1.webp)

The French national team continues its triumphant march at the 2026 World Cup. Didier Deschamps' charges secured a convincing victory over Morocco in the quarter-final match, becoming the first semi-finalists of the tournament. This success allowed the French to make history: for the third consecutive time, they have reached the semi-final stage of the World Cup.

### Total Dominance and Missed Opportunities

The first half of the match was played under the complete control of the Europeans. The French imposed their rhythm but could not break through the reliable defense of the Africans. The most dramatic moment came in the 25th minute: Mazraoui fouled Kylian Mbappe in the penalty area, gifting the hosts a penalty. However, the victim himself could not outplay Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who pinned the ball down firmly.

Later, the African goalkeeper continued to save his team, making crucial saves after shots from Upamecano and Dué. Just before halftime, Digne hit the crossbar, depriving the opponents of hope for a quick goal.

### Explosion in the Second Half and Mbappe's Records

The pressure from the French in the second half of the game bore fruit. In the 60th minute, Dué found the captain with a pass, and Mbappe struck the far corner with an elegant curling shot – 1:0. This goal was Kylian's eighth in the current tournament, putting him in sole leadership of the scoring race (alongside Messi). Moreover, this is the Frenchman's 20th goal in World Cup history, bringing him very close to Diego Maradona's all-time record (21 goals).

Just six minutes later, Mbappe showed himself as an assist provider, passing to Dembélé. The Barcelona player struck low past the right post and doubled the advantage – 2:0.

### Historic Achievement and Anxiety Before the Semi-Final

The Moroccans attempted to organize a final assault but repeated the fate of the 2022 World Cup semi-final, losing to the French with the same scoreline again. The victory allowed France to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup for the third consecutive time – previously, this feat had been achieved only by Brazil and Germany.

However, the end of the match gave Didier Deschamps a serious cause for concern: at the end of the game, Mbappe suffered an injury and was forced to leave the field early, making way for Mateta. The leader's condition will be a key question before the decisive match.

### Who's Next?

France's next opponent will be determined in the European derby between Spain and Belgium. This match will start on Friday, July 10, at 22:00 Kyiv time.