FOXBOROUGH, MA – Kylian Mbappé delivered a game-changing performance, leading France to a 2-0 victory over Morocco in a World Cup quarterfinal match, securing the nation’s third consecutive appearance in the tournament’s semifinals. Mbappé’s decisive goal in the 60th minute broke a scoreless tie, coming after he had missed a penalty kick earlier in the game—a first for him in a FIFA World Cup.
The penalty incident unfolded in the 27th minute after Mbappé, known for his blazing speed, set up a foul in transition during the 25th minute. Argentine referee Facundo Tello paused play for nearly two minutes as VAR reviewed the foul. Mbappé, hands on hips, finally approached the ball, hesitating twice before taking the shot. Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou remained unfazed, saving the attempt and keeping the quarterfinal match tied at 0-0 heading into the first hydration break.
Despite the earlier setback and a moment of frustration in the 56th minute when he failed to convert a bouncing ball in the box, Mbappé steeled himself. His breakthrough came when he settled a pass from Desire Doue near the top of the penalty area. From one step inside the box, Mbappé curved a right-footed shot around defender Issa Diop, curling it inside the right post for a highlight-reel worthy goal.
France solidified its lead six minutes later when Ousmane Dembélé scored the second goal, ensuring their victory. Mbappé’s goal would have been his eighth of the tournament, tying Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. With 11 combined goals (8) and assists (3) through six matches, Mbappé has recorded the most contributions at a single World Cup since Gerd Müller’s 13 in 1970.
Teammates and coaches alike praised Mbappé’s mental fortitude. “Kylian is incredible,” said Ousmane Dembélé. “He’s our captain, he doesn’t doubt anything. His mental is amazing. And so, we’re going to continue scoring.” France head coach Didier Deschamps echoed this sentiment, stating, “People think that Kylian is a dictator who only basically thinks about himself. But he is someone who, as a captain, is exemplary … beyond all the goals he scores.”
When asked about being stonewalled by Bounou, Mbappé candidly replied, “Well, I shot and he stopped it. It wasn’t a good shot.” He elaborated on the confusion surrounding the penalty: “It’s complicated, because there’s some kind of imbroglio – the referee is telling me there’s a penalty, I’m asking him if everything’s been checked. He says, ‘yes.’ So Ousmane sends me the ball. That’s the transition.” Mbappé added that the referee interrupted him while he was setting up the shot, contributing to his lack of concentration. “That’s just the way it is. I let myself be de-concentrated. That’s a scenario I hadn’t experienced yet,” he said. “That’s the kind of thing you can actually need to think about, because the referee can tell you it’s a penalty, and then it’s not going to happen. I’m not sure. It’s part of a new kind of soccer style. We need to adapt ourselves.”
Earlier in the day, Mbappé led his teammates onto the pitch for warmups at 3:08 p.m. ET. Two-and-a-half hours later, the 27-year-old left the field with his left hand raised after trainers checked him following an injury scare. Cameras later showed him on the bench icing his right ankle and foot. However, his animated on-field celebration after the victory suggested he is in fine form as the semifinals approach, with the Golden Boot and potentially other hardware still within reach.
It wasn't all roses for Mbappé against Morocco. He could not hammer home a bouncing ball in the box in the 56th despite having the space and position to execute one of his fantastic finishes. Frustrated after a left-footed cross attempt sailed over the touch line harmlessly, he steeled himself for the string of possessions that ultimately led to his goal.
Mbappé misses a penalty in the FIFA World Cup for the first time ever pic.twitter.com/rtuPICqAJD— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 9, 2026
