France advanced to a third consecutive World Cup semi-final with a 2-0 victory over Morocco in the quarter-finals, a result that ended the Atlas Lions’ campaign as the last African side in the tournament. Kylian Mbappé, who had missed a first-half penalty, broke the deadlock on the hour mark before Ousmane Dembélé added a second. Mbappé was substituted in the 77th minute after receiving a knock to his ankle, later telling RMC Sport he was “in order.” The match, played in the United States, confirmed France’s meeting with the winner of Spain versus Belgium in Dallas on 14 July.

Morocco, who had become the first African nation to reach multiple World Cup quarter-finals after their historic semi-final run in 2022, were unable to repeat the feat. Mbappé’s opener came after he had seen his spot-kick saved, a moment that did not derail the forward who, at 27, is chasing a second world title. Dembélé’s goal sealed the contest, and despite late pressure, the Moroccan challenge faded. The result extended France’s record of deep tournament runs under Didier Deschamps, while Morocco departed having again demonstrated the passion their diaspora inspires across Europe.

That passion spilled beyond football in London, where disturbances erupted on Edgware Road, a district known for gathering Moroccan supporters. Police reported one officer hospitalised with head injuries, suspected to have been struck by a glass bottle, and four people arrested. Officers initially responded to a group blocking traffic; the situation escalated when bottles and fireworks were thrown, prompting a riot-gear deployment. Roads reopened around 1 a.m. local time. Viewed from London, the disorder echoed scenes in The Hague days earlier, when Moroccan fans clashed with Dutch police after a round-of-16 penalty-shootout win over the Netherlands. In Paris, by contrast, a heavy deployment of 8,000 officers kept the peace, and supporters of both nations celebrated largely without incident on the Champs-Élysées, reflecting the deep ties between France and its large Moroccan community.

France now head to Dallas for a semi-final that will determine whether they can contest a fourth World Cup final. Morocco’s exit, while disappointing in Rabat, leaves a legacy of two consecutive quarter-final appearances that have reshaped African football’s benchmarks. The immediate sporting consequence is a last-four clash against either Spain or Belgium, who meet in Los Angeles on Friday.