Mbappé guides France past Morocco to WC semis
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- Mbappé scored his 20th World Cup goal with a curling effort early in the second half, then set up Ousmane Dembélé for France's second six minutes later to seal a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Morocco.
- Yassine Bounou saved Mbappé's 25th-minute penalty — his record fourth World Cup penalty save including shootouts, more than any goalkeeper in tournament history.
- Bounou also produced multiple first-half stops, tipping a 35-yard Lucas Digne effort onto the crossbar and saving Dayot Upamecano's early header, to keep Morocco level at the break despite France's 13 first-half shots.
- Mbappé's eighth goal of the tournament drew him level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.
- France became only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup semifinals under Didier Deschamps.
- Mbappé was substituted in the 77th minute after a brief stoppage at the center circle, leaving under his own power as Jean-Phillipe Mateta came on.
- France's semifinal on July 14 in Dallas will come against either Spain or Belgium.
Why it matters: Mbappé's eighth goal of the tournament pulls him level with Lionel Messi atop the Golden Boot standings, while France moves one win from a third straight World Cup final — a run only two other nations have ever matched. Bounou's record fourth career World Cup penalty save puts a historic stamp on Morocco's elimination.
