In Boston, the French national team found themselves facing Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, a match that proved to be a challenging battle. Despite their formidable offensive capabilities, the French squad struggled initially to break through the Moroccan defense. Notably, Kylian Mbappé had a penalty saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in the 28th minute, showcasing Bounou's exceptional skills.
Bounou's prowess on penalties was once again on full display, denying one of the world’s best players. However, in the second half, the French team found their rhythm, scoring two quick goals that ultimately sealed their victory. Mbappé opened the scoring in the 60th minute, followed closely by a goal from Ousmane Dembélé in the 66th minute. The Moroccan Lions of the Atlas, despite their attempts to counterattack and pose a threat to French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, were unable to convert any opportunities into goals.
France's Potential and the Road Ahead
The match ended with a final score of 2-0, propelling France into the semi-finals for the third consecutive World Cup. While many admire the French team for their depth and attacking talent, Kylian Mbappé offered a different perspective. He stated, "This is not the strongest team. I have been a world champion and a runner-up. This team is neither a world champion nor a runner-up. So, as it stands, it is not the strongest." Mbappé emphasized the potential of the current squad, suggesting that although they may not yet be the best, they possess qualities that inspire hope for the future.
He continued to assert, "It is the team with the most potential, one that can envision the future more easily, one that has so many qualities that naturally captivate us. But is it the strongest? I have always said that the strongest teams are those that win, and until proven otherwise, I do not see a gold trophy next to me, so it is not the strongest team."
On the other side, the Moroccan Lions of the Atlas may feel a sense of frustration for not being more incisive in their play, even though their coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, believes there are no regrets to be had. He remarked, "As for regrets – I told the players – I don't think there are any. It's tough, you know, especially when speaking to players right after the match, to talk about regrets after a journey like this, where we reached the quarter-finals and they gave everything – I truly felt they left it all on the field. However, it is true that, let’s say, we might have wanted to do more with the ball, and that was the plan. But we must also give credit to France."
Belgium's Challenge in the Semis
Looking ahead, France will face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals. The Belgian team, known as the Red Devils, will have a tough task ahead, facing a Spanish side that has controlled possession and has yet to concede a goal in the tournament. Nonetheless, Belgian coach Rudi Garcia expressed confidence in his team, stating, "We have a very good team. We are capable of scoring goals. The proof is that we have the second-best attack in the World Cup. I believe we are the team that has taken the most shots on goal in this tournament. Before the quarter-finals, since France just played, we were the team with the highest expected goals."
Garcia added, "We have strengths to showcase. Everyone considers us already eliminated, but we believe in ourselves, we think we can do it, and we will do everything possible to reach the semi-finals." The highly anticipated clash between Spain and Belgium is set to take place tonight in Los Angeles, starting at 19:00 UTC.
As reported by dw.com.
