Their 2-0 win four years ago in Qatar came in the semi-finals, and this time the victory for Les Bleus takes them through to the last four. They will face Spain or Belgium in Dallas on Wednesday.
France are looking to reach a third consecutive World Cup final in their last tournament before long-serving coach Didier Deschamps stands down.
Winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, it has felt like they have eased through to another semi-final. They were too strong for a Moroccan team lacking firepower in the absence of the injured Ismael Saibari.
Mbappe is one of the greatest goal-scorers of his generation, and the World Cup continues to bring the very best out of him.
After netting braces in the group-stage wins over Senegal and Iraq, as well as the last-32 defeat of Sweden, he got the only goal from the penalty spot against Paraguay in the last round.
He has now scored 20 goals in 20 World Cup appearances, within one goal of Messi’s overall tournament record of 21.
More could have been expected from Morocco, who had greater crowd support, but lacked a cutting edge in attack, as France kept a third clean sheet in as many knockout games.
Dembele also on target
Nevertheless, Morocco have plenty of exciting young talents – including former France Under-21 captain Ayyoub Bouaddi in their midfield – and will surely be a force to be reckoned with when they co-host the next World Cup in 2030 alongside Spain and Portugal.
On Friday, they were just the latest team to find containing Mbappe at a World Cup to be an impossible task.
The Real Madrid star provoked the penalty as he was scythed down in the area by Noussair Mazraoui after a quick breakaway in the 25th minute.
Argentinian referee Facundo Tello immediately pointed to the spot, although a review was needed to rule out a foul on Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi in the build-up.
Maybe the wait got to Mbappe, whose kick was uncharacteristically weak and easily stopped. It was a reminder that he remains human, just like Messi who has squandered two penalties at this World Cup.
The excellent Bounou frequently kept France at bay in the first half, notably tipping a Desire Doue shot around the post after Bouaddi was robbed of the ball.
Lucas Digne crashed a shot on to the top of the bar from distance as the opening half ended goalless, but France got the reward for their pressure 15 minutes after the restart.
Doue slipped the ball to Mbappe just outside the area, and he controlled before using Issa Diop as a screen to direct a superb strike into the net.
France’s all-time leading marksman now has 64 international goals from 104 appearances.
His lay-off in the 66th minute allowed Dembele to advance on goal and curl a shot low into the same corner, a hand from Bounou proving unable to make it 2-0.
Dembele is the reigning Ballon d’Or and now has five goals at this World Cup, but Mbappe continues to hog the limelight.
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