Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring after converting the rebound from his saved penalty.
France continued their pursuit of another World Cup triumph with a controlled 2-0 victory over Morocco in Boston on Thursday, becoming the first team to secure a place in the 2026 semifinals.
The result also saw Les Bleus enter an exclusive group in World Cup history. France became only the third men’s national team to reach the semifinals in three consecutive tournaments, joining Germany (2002–2014) and Brazil (1994–2002).
Having lifted the World Cup in 1998 and 2018 before finishing as runners-up in 2022, France entered the 2026 tournament among the leading contenders once again.
With manager Didier Deschamps set to leave his role after the competition, another impressive World Cup campaign has sparked fresh debate over whether this generation ranks among the greatest teams in French football history.
Former France midfielder Patrick Vieira believes the current squad has the quality and depth to be remembered among the greatest teams in the country’s football history.
“We’re talking about a generation of players, and when you look at the squad and the attacking players, it is maybe one of the best,” Vieira said on ITV Sport, as quoted by the BBC. “It is so unbelievable.”
Mbappé and Dembélé spearhead France’s attacking charge
France’s victory was secured in the second half as Kylian Mbappé broke the deadlock by finishing the rebound after his penalty was initially saved. Just six minutes later, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé doubled the advantage to put the result beyond doubt.
The goals took France’s tournament tally to 16, the highest among all teams still competing.
Mbappé moved level with Argentina captain Lionel Messi on eight goals in the race for the Golden Boot, with the France star currently leading the standings due to his superior assist record. Dembélé, meanwhile, registered his fifth goal of the tournament.
The duo also etched their names into World Cup history. France became only the second team in the past 50 years to have two players score at least five goals in the same tournament, matching Brazil’s Ronaldo and Rivaldo from the 2002 World Cup.
Former Scotland striker Pat Nevin highlighted the strength and variety of France’s attacking options while speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“France are the best, most skilful, most dangerous attacking team in the tournament. They don’t just have one threat. They have two, three, four that are capable,” Nevin said.
Two wins away from another title
Didier Deschamps has overseen one of the most successful eras in French football, guiding the team to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2022 World Cup final and the Euro 2016 final.
With Deschamps set to leave after the tournament, France are now just two victories away from securing another World Cup crown under his leadership.
If Spain overcome Belgium in Friday’s quarter-final, they will meet France in a highly anticipated semifinal clash in Dallas next Tuesday.
Despite Spain arriving at the tournament ranked one place above France and yet to concede a goal, Patrick Vieira believes Les Bleus still have another level to reach.
“France are a better team today than they were four years ago, but I don’t think Spain are. I don’t see anybody stopping the French team going to the final,” Vieira said.
