France secured their place in the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Morocco. The match saw Kylian Mbappe contribute significantly, scoring the opening goal and assisting the second, though he later left the field due to an injury concern.
Mbappe’s performance included his eighth goal of the tournament, bringing him level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. He then set up Ousmane Dembele for France’s second goal, which was finished low into the bottom corner. Despite his impactful play, Mbappe went down with an apparent injury in the 76th minute while standing at the center circle. He was examined on the field and replaced by Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 77th minute. Mbappe was able to walk off the field under his own power, waving to the crowd at Gillette Stadium as he exited. He was later seen on the bench with an ice pack on his right foot.
Mbappe’s Injury Update and Tournament Impact
Following the match, Mbappe addressed concerns about his injury, stating, “I’m fine! I took a hit to the ankle, but everything’s okay. Mateta was more ready than me to play the last 15 minutes.” This update provided reassurance regarding his condition. The 27-year-old forward has been a central figure for France throughout the tournament, and his goal against Morocco marked his 20th career goal in 20 World Cup matches.
Mbappe’s contributions extend beyond scoring; he also became the first player to achieve 10 or more goal involvements in two different World Cups since records began in 1966. In the current tournament, he has accumulated eight goals and three assists. His consistent high-level performance has led to him being referred to as the “Dictator” within the team, a testament to his leadership and impact.
France’s journey to the semi-finals has been marked by strong defensive displays. They have not fallen behind once in the tournament, and their expected goals against in the knockout stage have been notably low: 0.7 against Sweden, 0.2 against Paraguay, and 0.1 against Morocco. This defensive solidity, combined with their potent attack, makes them a formidable opponent.
Team Performance and Managerial Milestones
The match against Morocco highlighted France’s dominance, despite Morocco having more possession. The post-match metrics, including shots and expected goals, supported the view of France’s overall control. Didier Deschamps, the France manager, reached a significant milestone with this victory, achieving his 20th World Cup win as manager, making him the first manager to do so. He also equaled Helmut Schon‘s record of 25 World Cup matches managed, a record he is set to break in the semi-finals.
Ousmane Dembele, who scored France’s second goal, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “We’re very happy. We were really focused (today). This is my third World Cup semi-final with the French team and it’s pure joy, pure pleasure.” He also emphasized the team’s continued focus on upcoming challenges.
Morocco’s campaign saw some individual performances of note, with Azzedine Ounahi being recognized for his efforts. Ounahi’s driving runs and presence between both penalty areas created problems for France. However, Morocco’s overall offensive output was limited, as indicated by their flat-lined XG step chart for the quarter-final.
France will now prepare to face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals. This will be France’s eighth World Cup semi-final appearance, equaling Brazil‘s record, with only Germany having more. The semi-final match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, in Arlington, Texas.
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Source: nytimes.com
