France advances to final
France defeated Morocco 2-0, securing their place in a third successive World Cup final. The match saw Kylian Mbappé play a pivotal role, scoring one goal and providing an assist. This victory comes after France also beat Morocco by the same scoreline in the 2022 semi-finals.
Mbappé’s goal, a curled shot from the edge of the box, broke the Moroccan resistance. He later assisted Ousmane Dembele for France’s second goal, sealing their win. Dembele’s goal was his fifth of the tournament, with two of those previously assisted by Mbappé.
Mbappé’s performance and impact
Mbappé’s performance in the match was notable, despite an early penalty miss. In the first half, he had a penalty saved by Yassine Bounou after a lengthy VAR check. Bounou, known as a penalty specialist, also made several other saves throughout the game, including stopping Mbappé’s 20-yard shot and Dayot Upamecano’s close-range header.
Despite the penalty miss, Mbappé’s overall impact on the game was significant. He walked off the pitch with an ice pack on his right foot, though he was seen celebrating after the final whistle. This tournament has often been framed as a contest between Mbappé and Lionel Messi for individual accolades such as the Golden Ball and Golden Boot, as well as the World Cup trophy itself.
Mbappé’s goal in this match brought his tournament tally to eight, matching Messi’s total in the United States. His overall World Cup goal count now stands at 20 in as many matches. His influence extends beyond scoring, as he also contributed his third assist of the tournament.
Mbappé has been a dominant figure throughout the tournament, showcasing his speed, power, and precise footwork. His ability to control the game and his temperament have been highlighted, with many noting his consistent success in football. Growing up in the Parisian banlieue, Mbappé had expressed his ambition to play for France from a young age, and he is now his country’s leading goalscorer in football history.
His presence has also generated significant cultural impact, with his personality and on-field mastery making him a prominent figure online. Didier Deschamps, the French coach, has described Mbappé as a player who is loved and cherished by his teammates, despite online comparisons to a despot.
Morocco’s approach and tournament journey
Morocco, who were Africa’s first semi-finalists in 2022, adopted a different strategy against France compared to their previous matches against Brazil and the Netherlands. They focused on congesting the midfield to limit France’s attacking options, particularly Michael Olise. This approach resulted in them having only 0.06 xG after an hour of play, with France taking 13 shots before Morocco registered their first.
The team was also affected by the absence of the injured Ismael Saibari. Despite the loss, Morocco has made history by becoming Africa’s first back-to-back quarter-finalists in the World Cup. The match saw African involvement in the tournament conclude with a player of Algerian and Cameroonian heritage.
Mbappé’s journey has been marked by a keen awareness of his public image and a willingness to engage with social and political issues. During the European Championships in 2024, he addressed a reporter’s question about his political stance with a quick-witted response. He also strongly condemned a racist attack against him by a Paraguayan senator following France’s victory over Paraguay in the round of 16, stating he would not allow such hatred to spread.
His parents provided him with various tools to manage his energy, including a dedicated psychologist from the seventh grade, flute and theatre lessons, in addition to football. The family home in Bondy, a suburb of northeastern Paris, was located near the Stade Léo-Lagrange, a municipal football stadium.
France will now prepare for the final, following their 2-0 victory over Morocco.
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Source: independent.co.uk
Daniel Fairbrother is the Senior Football Correspondent at Latest News UK, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with over a decade of reporting experience. He spent eight years on the football desk of a Yorkshire daily before moving into national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Leeds, he watches non-league football and runs a five-a-side league. “The best football stories are won in the week, not on the whistle.”