In a duel between Africans, France defeated Morocco 2-0 and advanced to the semifinals

Same result as in Qatar 2022, different stage and protagonists. Just like the previous World Cup, the northern Africans (France) defeated the southern ones (Morocco) by 2-0, only this time, instead of happening in the semifinals, it was in the quarter-finals and rather than being even, there would be a clear dominator.

The match would start with the French as the owners of the game, who would quickly create danger with a long-range shot from Kylian Mbappé in the 3rd minute and seconds later a header from Dayot Upamecano at point-blank range, both neutralized by Yassin Bonou.

In the following minutes, they would continue to be superior to their rival and, although they would lower their effectiveness in the final third, the players coached by Didier Deschamps would get an invaluable opportunity to take the lead on the scoreboard: a penalty. In the 24th minute, Noussair Mazraoui would bring down Mbappé in the area and Argentine referee Facundo Tello would award the penalty. The one to take it would be the N°10 himself, whose attempt would be saved by Bonou.

Far from being discouraged, "Les Blues" would continue trying to take the lead. One of their most notable chances would occur in the 35th minute: after a steal from Ayyoub Bouaddi in the midfield, Desiré Doué would make a personal run into the area, from where he would take a shot that the Moroccan goalkeeper, already a standout in the match, would manage to clear.

Despite a greater presence from the Africans, the first half would end with one more warning from the Europeans: a powerful right-footed shot from Lucas Digne from distance in the 41st minute that would hit the crossbar.

In the second half, the team of Mohamed Ouahbi would maintain part of the momentum from before the break; however, as time passed, they would fall back and France would regain control, even managing to score the long-awaited 1-0. In the 59th minute, after a series of rebounds, Doué would assist Mbappé who would open his right foot to take an unstoppable shot for Bonou. And they wouldn't be satisfied with that, as almost five minutes later the 2-0 would come, scored by Ousmane Dembélé.

Although at the end of the match the Moroccans would gather some promising chances in search of a heroic comeback, such as a shot from Azzedine Ounahi in the 82nd minute that Mike Maignan would save, the French, who would lose Mbappé to a suspected injury, would also create their own opportunities to score a third, although they would end up content with maintaining the lead until Tello's final whistle.

With this result, France advanced to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the match between Spain and Belgium, next Tuesday, July 14 at 16:00 (Argentina time) at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas.