LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – 2014 World Champions France have eliminated Morocco again from the FIFA World Cup for a second consecutive time after a 2-0 quarter final victory over the Atlas Lions.
The biggest talking point of the game was Les Bleus captain Kylian Mbappe missing a penalty in the first half of the match.
France started the match on the front foot as defender Dayot Upamecano tested Morocco Keeper Yassine Bonou with a header in just four minutes into the match.
Bonou made himself big for the save, but the French continued to control possession and would have made it count when Noussair Mazraoui brought down Mbappe in the 18-yard box.
Mbappe who showed Mazraoui a flurry of step overs was too fast for the defender who dived in for the challenge prompting the referee to point to the spot immediately.
The Real Madrid star stepped up to take the spot kick but Bonou guessed correctly and dived to the bottom right corner to save the penalty.
The Morocco shot stopper’s save was the fifth penalty saved in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Bonou was called into action again when Desire Doue snapped a low shot at goal in the 35th minute.
The first 45 ended goalless despite France dominating much of the game.
The opener finally came in the 60th minute when Mbappe sent a superb curling effort into the net from the edge of the box.
With the strike Mbappe has now scored 20 World Cup goals in 20 appearances.
Six minutes later Mbappe turned provider for Ballond’or winner Dembele who rifled the ball low into the back of the net to extend France’s lead.
Bonou made four more saves in the game to keep the score line 2-0 at the final whistle.
The defeat meant Africa no longer has a representative in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, France will now face the winner between Spain who are yet to concede a goal in the tournament and Belgium in the semi final.
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