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.<\/p>\n
France are looking to reach a third consecutive World Cup final in their last tournament before long-serving coach Didier Deschamps stands down.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mbappe is one of the greatest goal-scorers of his generation, and the World Cup continues to bring the very best out of him.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He has now scored 20 goals in 20 World Cup appearances, within one goal of Messi\u2019s overall tournament record of 21.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Dembele also on target<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Morocco have plenty of exciting young talents \u2013 including former France Under-21 captain Ayyoub Bouaddi in their midfield \u2013 and will surely be a force to be reckoned with when they co-host the next World Cup in 2030 alongside Spain and Portugal.<\/p>\n
On Friday, they were just the latest team to find containing Mbappe at a World Cup to be an impossible task.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
France\u2019s all-time leading marksman now has 64 international goals from 104 appearances.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Dembele is the reigning Ballon d\u2019Or and now has five goals at this World Cup, but Mbappe continues to hog the limelight.<\/p>\n