Morocco arrived at the quarterfinal dreaming of revenge for their 2022 defeat, but Kylian Mbappe and an in-form France side brought those hopes to an end.
Boston, United States. Some Morocco supporters were ready to acknowledge Mbappe’s brilliance shortly after their team was eliminated from the World Cup.
The French captain scored an impressive goal and created another for Ousmane Dembele six minutes later, securing a 2-0 victory on Thursday. Even disappointed Moroccan fans described France as almost impossible to stop in their current form.
Yaseen Maroufi admitted that although Morocco’s supporters had hoped and prayed for a different result, they knew France could prove too strong.
“France are very difficult to stop because they have 11 excellent players on the field and one of the strongest benches in the tournament,” he said while leaving the stadium.
“They are the team everyone has to overcome, and right now that is an extremely difficult task.”
Morocco Begin With Revenge on Their Minds
The opening stages did not suggest that France would cruise through the first quarterfinal of the 2026 World Cup. The match began cautiously on a fiercely hot day in Boston.
Revenge shaped much of the buildup. Morocco had not forgotten their semifinal defeat against France in 2022 and wanted to settle that score four years later.
Before kickoff, Moroccan supporters spoke with careful confidence. Their hopes rested on a younger squad, faith in a new coach and the possibility that Mbappe might struggle.
For a while, that scenario appeared possible.
France received a penalty in the 29th minute, giving Mbappe the chance to open the scoring. After a lengthy delay caused by players entering the area and the ball moving from the spot, the striker appeared uncertain.
His effort lacked power and Yassine Bounou gathered it comfortably. The save strengthened the belief among Morocco’s fans that another major World Cup result might be possible.
The missed penalty reflected the mood of the first half. Both teams played carefully and avoided committing too many players forward, aware that one mistake could expose large spaces in defence.
Mbappe Recovers After Missing From the Spot
Morocco returned after the interval with greater ambition. The Atlas Lions moved into the French half early and produced their only shot on target, but the attempt was saved.
Their willingness to attack also created a problem. By pushing more players forward, Morocco began leaving space behind their defensive line.
France rarely need a second invitation to exploit an open field.
Mbappe gradually found more room on the left side and began running directly at Morocco’s defenders. His pace and close control made it increasingly difficult for them to contain him.
In the 60th minute, one of those attacks ended with France taking the lead. Mbappe completed the move and registered his eighth goal of the 2026 World Cup.
The missed penalty had not affected his confidence. Once space appeared, the French captain returned to the form that had made him one of the tournament’s most dangerous players.
Dembele Doubles the Advantage Six Minutes Later
Mbappe needed only six more minutes to influence the game again. This time, he created the opportunity for Ousmane Dembele, who finished to give France a 2-0 advantage.
The goal was Dembele’s fifth of the competition. It also gave France a tournament record, making them the first team in World Cup history to have two players score at least five goals during the same edition.
Mbappe continued twisting through the Moroccan defence, although France could not add a third goal. His movement still forced Morocco to defend deeper and made it harder for the Atlas Lions to build attacks of their own.
Morocco had competed evenly during the first half, but their hopes disappeared quickly after the break. Once France gained control, the North African side struggled to regain momentum.
Moroccan Chants Fade as France Take Control
For much of the match, the stadium echoed with chants of “Dima Maghreb” from Morocco’s large and passionate support.
Those voices became quieter after the second French goal.
France’s supporters had struggled to make themselves heard earlier in the game. Once the Moroccan sections fell silent, chants of “Allez les Bleus” spread around the stadium.
French American supporter Claude Beyanoun attended the match with his son, Zach, and praised the quality available to the national team.
“It was wonderful to watch all this French talent,” he said.
France’s fans left the stadium believing that the current young squad could win the 2026 trophy and remain a major force at future tournaments.
The depth highlighted by Moroccan supporters was clear throughout the contest. France combined elite attacking talent with enough options on the bench to change the rhythm whenever required.
Another 2-0 Defeat Ends Morocco’s Revenge Mission
For Morocco, the result repeated the disappointment of 2022. Their experienced team lost 2-0 to France in that year’s semifinal, and the younger generation suffered the same scoreline in Boston.
The Atlas Lions had hoped to avenge that earlier defeat and prove that their run four years ago was not an isolated success. Instead, Mbappe and Dembele ended their campaign within six decisive second half minutes.
Moroccan supporters looked visibly disappointed as they left the stadium. Many had arrived expecting their team to compete for another historic place in the semifinals.
Despite the defeat, some fans remained positive about the future.
“We did not win this match, but we will win the next World Cup at home,” said Hamza, a Morocco supporter who gave only his first name.
He was referring to the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will help host.
“We have to keep going after a defeat. That is football and that is life.”
