Deprecated: trim(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /data/sites/paprZoom/user_defined.php on line 463
For the second straight World Cup, France has sent Morocco home with a 2-0 victory.In 2022, it was a historic semifinal, as Morocco became the first-ever African team to reach that stage of the tournament.But France defeated them to reach the World Cup Final in Qatar.Four years later, history repeated itself in the quarterfinals, as Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé scored second-half goals to send France back to the semifinals.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMKylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring his teams first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium on July 9, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)France will now await the winner of Spain and Belgium, who face off against each other on Friday at 3 p.m.in Los Angeles.Much like Paraguay in the Round of 16 against France, Morocco was clearly focusing on their defense, making sure the likes of Mbappé didn’t have easy lanes to score.It was working to start the match, though France was immediately on the offensive and stayed there throughout.
However, Morocco faltered when a foul was committed in their own box, forcing a penalty kick.KYLIAN MBAPPÉ'S SEVENTH GOAL OF THE WORLD CUP LIFTS FRANCE PAST PARAGUAY IN PHYSICAL ROUND OF 16 MATCHMbappé stepped right up to the ball, but the head referee was waiting for the signal to see if a VAR check was needed before the penalty could be taken.The referee called it a penalty on the pitch, but he had Mbappé frustrated as he had to continue re-doing his routine multiple times before finally getting the chance.Morocco goalkeeper Yassine "Bono" Bounou read Mbappé like a book, as the French superstar tried to bait him into moving before his kick.
But Bounou stood like a statue before pouncing to his left and keeping the scoreboard silent in the first half.Morocco didn't register its first real scoring chance until stoppage time, underscoring France's contro...