By FRANCIS JOSEPH
France marched into the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup with a clinical 2-0 victory against Morocco on Thursday afternoon at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Once again, it was their star striker, Kylian Mbappe who helped them get past their opponents. After a goalless first half, the French team upped their tempo. They moved like a team wanting to win.
The first goal came in the 60th minute. Mbappe, who was not his usual self in the earlier stages, struck with a beautiful shot in the corner of the net. He missed a penalty in the first half. The applause had hardly died down when Ousmane Dembele struck in the 66th minute which a right footer in the corner of the net. That was his fifth goal of the tournament.
France went two up and it became a matter of time for the victory. Morocco was never in it. They rarely had shots to the goal. It was a team more looking to defend than trying to score.
With his eighth goal of the tournament, Mbappe is tied with Lionel Messi of Argentina. Erling Haaland, of Norway, is second with seven goals, while England’s Harry Kane has six goals.
France will meet the winner of the Spain versus Belgium quarter final which is carded for Friday at 3 pm. at the Los Angeles Stadium. That semi-final will be played next Tuesday, July 14, in Arlington, Texas.
Mbappe was taken off before the end as there was concern that he suffered an injury to his right foot. While sitting on the bench, an ice pack was wrapped around his right instep.
But he seemed to be okay after the match.
