France 2-0 Morocco: Mbappe, Dembele lead Les Bleus to semifinals

Well, at least Morocco finally had a shot on target.

A dangerous free kick is played short to Ounahi and his shot is on target but Maignan saves easily.

From the resulting corner El Aynaoui flicks a header towards goal but it just goes wide of the near post.

Much better from Morocco but it feels like it’s too little too late.

Well, if you focus on stopping Mbappe then Dembele will pop up with a goal.

And vice versa.

It’s pretty impossible to stop France right now.

This stat sums up their brilliance at this tournament.

This has been very one-sided as France have totally dominated Morocco.

Of course, Morocco are missing their main striker in Saibiri but we still all expected more than this from the AFCON champions.

Morocco haven’t had a shot on target and we are approaching the final 15 minutes of the game.

As good as France are, that is really poor from Morocco.

Ousmane Dembele makes it 2-0 to France and they’ve scored twice in six minutes

Morocco back off and you shouldn’t do that against Dembele.

He takes up the invitation, dribbles towards goal and curls a low shot past Bono.

The Moroccan goalkeeper got a hand to it and will probably be upset he didn’t keep it out.

Oh my, that is vintage Kylian Mbappe, isn’t it?

He doesn’t even really get a clear sight of goal.

But he uses Issa Diop as the mannequin and curls a sumptuous effort around him and into the top corner.

No chance for Bono.

France finally lead and they deserve it.

Morocco have to go for it now and the game should open up...

Well, this isn’t going as expected.

France are really struggling to create anything of note.

Doue has a pop from distance but Bono saves easily.

France are starting to get frustrated here.

Moments later Olise does play in Mbappe with a lovely double touch pass, but Mbappe was clearly offside.

Well, this game is going even more in France’s favor than expected so far. But after surviving the penalty kick scare, Morocco will be happy.

Bouaddi has been excellent mopping things up in midfield and France just haven’t been able to open the game up or get in-behind Morocco.

That is exactly what they wanted and with Rahimi on the bench, they will surely bring him on with 30 minutes to go to have more of an attacking threat.

Without the injured Sabiri, you can understand why Morocco have approached the game this way.

So far, Morocco will be the much happier team and France will be a little concerned they haven’t been able to open things up.

The French team have been well on top but Mbappe’s penalty kick miss has them level.

Morocco have barely got going.

France are well on top, but Morocco will be delighted with that first half.

They’re level and will surely be better in the second half.

Morocco have had more of the ball but France have a chance.

Lucas Digne has a pop from outside the box but it hits the bar.

Very close but France have run out of ideas a little bit.

Kylian Mbappe is clipped by Mazraoui and a penalty kick is given.

VAR review but that is a clear penalty. They were looking at an incident earlier up the pitch.

The penalty stands, Mbappe steps up but his penalty kick is poor and Bono saves easily.

That is not a great at all from Mbappe. What is it with him and Messi?

France whip in a cross and Dembele rises high.

His header beats Bono but also goes wide of the far post.

France are dominating.

Morocco can’t get on the ball.

This is only going one way.

France have started well and have gone close twice.

First through Mbappe and then from the resulting corner Upamecano heads on goal but Bono saves.

Morocco haven’t got going at all.

It’s a real blow for Morocco to be without star forward Ismael Saibiri through injury and head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has sprung a bit of a surprise.

It looks like Sunderland’s Chemsdine Talbi will be starting as a false nine in attack.

Morocco have Soufiane Rahimi ready to come off the bench and lead the line, and he scored last time out against Canada and was expected to start this game.

Morocco starting lineup

Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Mazraoui, Salah-Eddine; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Brahim, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Talbi

Didier Deschamps has made one change from the team which beat Paraguay in the last 16, with Doue coming in for Barcola on the left wing.

Everything else is the same, and why would you change it?

France have been superb at this tournament and this team is very settled with incredible options off the bench.

France starting lineup

Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Kone, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe

Some lovely scenes in Boston as fans of France and Morocco are fired up as they back their team.

This is a Morocco team which still has plenty of players left over from the 2022 World Cup team but there’s new energy and younger talent leading the way now.

Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Yassine Bouno are the leaders in defense but there are some new stars emerging.

Teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi has been a revelation in midfield and switched from France to Morocco just a few months ago.

Forward Ismael Saibari has been amazing up top but he is struggling with an injury which is a big blow.

Still, Mohamed Ouahbi has done a superb job to build on Morocco’s success in 2022 and they are no longer seen as a dark horse.

Morocco are legit contenders.

Didier Deschamps’ side are a joy to watch and hush go for it in every game.

Kylian Mbappe is leading the charge and Dembele. Olise and Barcola have all been excellent in attack.

France will come under plenty of pressure in midfield in this game but they proved against Paraguay in the round of 16 they can mix it up and deal with physical teams.

This French side is one of the most exciting in history and they are going to go for it in every single game at this World Cup.

Make no mistake about it, they will be pushed all the way by Morocco.

Here’s how you can watch this beauty of a quarterfinal.

Buckle up. This is going to be one of the games of the tournament.

How to watch France vs Morocco live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 4pm ET
Venue: Gillette Stadium — Boston
TV Channel: Telemundo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol