Kylian Mbappe, France survive Morocco test to roll into World Cup semifinals
FOXBOROUGH, Mass.— France withstood its toughest test yet, and now marches into the World Cup semifinals with the chance to do something unprecedented in the modern era.On an afternoon when Kylian Mbappé had looked so vexed at the puzzle presented to him by Morocco’s low block, missing a penalty early and struggling to find any space in open play, he finally broke through in the second half and left Morocco without an answer.It was an almost nothing play, the sort from which only a player like Mbappé can create a moment of magic.
He was almost stationary atop the box as the ball volley-balled its way to him.He struck it with his right foot, curling the ball around Issa Diop, around Yassine Bounou and in so doing, solved the Gordian Knot of Morocco by slicing through it.The opener, 60 minutes into the eventual 2-0 French victory, seemed in the moment to be decisive because Morocco had shown so little attacking prowess to that point.Once the Atlas Lions were forced to try to go forward and open the game up, that’s just what it was.
By the hydration break seven minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé had added a second goal for France, ending a slaloming run towards goal with an exquisite finish.There was no coming back from there for Morocco.Without its star striker Ismael Saibari, and against a France side with more offensive talent than it knows what to do with, Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi chose to sit back in a low block and absorb pressure.
It’s the sort of plan often adopted by the underdog, and it did the trick for a while.Once it had to play from behind, though, there was nothing in it for Morocco.Azzedine Ounahi’s shot in the 83rd minute was the first and only time all afternoon that French keeper Mike Maignan was forced into action.France, which will face the victor between Spain and Belgium on Tuesday in Dallas, can become the first nation to make three consecutive World Cup finals since Brazil did so from 1994-2002.
West Germany (1982-90) is the ...