Africa’s participation at the 2026 World Cup ended Thursday night as the continent’s last team in the tournament, the Atlas Lions of Morocco lost 2-0 to France at the Boston Stadium in Massachusetts.
Real Madrid sensation, Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint Germain superstar, Ousemane Dembele scored the goals for the 2018 champions.
Les Blues dominated the early exchanges and had a great chance to score just minutes into the game but Dayot Upamecano’s header was saved by Moroccan goalkeeper, Yasmine Bounou.
They had an even better chance to take the lead in the 25th minute when Mbappe was brought down in the 18 yard box by Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui,
However, having waited 3 and half minutes before he was allowed to take the kick following a VAR review, Mbappe’s poor penalty was comfortably saved by Bounou.
The French captain however made amends in the 60th minute with a superb curling strike from just inside the penalty area to give France a deserved lead.
It was his eighth goal of the 2026 World Cup and moves him level with Argentine captain, Lionel Messi, although the Frenchman is now top in the race for the Golden Boot as he has registered more assists than his former Paris St-Germain team-mate.
He is however one goal behind Messi in the all time top goal scorer’s chart having scored 20 in 20 matches.
Mbappe then assisted Dembele to make scores 2-0 for France in the 66th minute when the Ballon d’or winner was allowed to run at the Morocco defence, with his low strike finding the net despite Bounou getting a hand to the ball.
Two-time winners France, who lost to Argentina on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final, will play Spain or Belgium in the semi-final in Dallas on Tuesday.
Quarter final action continues tonight at 8pm with European champions Spain taking on Belgium