France player ratings: Mbappe, Dembele star in World Cup win over Morocco

Jul 09, 2026 - 23:05

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France dispatched Morocco 2-0 in the World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday, July 9, advancing to the tournament's final four with a thoroughly dominant effort against the team Les Bleus defeated in the 2022 semifinals.

Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty kick but atoned with his 20th career World Cup goal in the second half, staking France to the lead. Ousmane Dembele followed with his own strike a few minutes later, effectively putting the game out of reach for a Morocco side that didn't threaten all afternoon.

France probably should have had a couple more but didn't really matter much as Morocco's mere 0.14 xG indicates. The French defense didn't have much work to do and didn't concede a shot until the 84th mintue, and that was a on a direct free kick.

France will face Spain or Belgium in the semifinal and it looks like Didier Deschamps' team is back in order after a brutal game against Paraguay in the round of 16.

Here's a look at how Les Bleus performed on Thursday:

France player ratings vs Morocco

GK: Mike Maignan - 7

France's goalkeeper really had nothing to do all day, making his first save in the 84th minute on a free kick hit directly at him. A fourth clean sheet in six matches for Maignan.

DF: Lucas Digne - 7

Did well dealing with Hakimi getting forward on his side of the field and almost opened the scoring with a well-struck shot from distance near the end of the first half.

DF: Dayot Upamecano - 7

Was unlucky that his first-half header was stopped, which looked like a sure goal when he made contact. Tidy on the ball and was credited with four clearances.

DF: William Saliba – 7.5

France's star center back wasn't called into action much but had an extremely clean day at the back, completeting 54 of his first 57 passes, including a 100% success rate in the defensive half.

DF: Jules Kounde – 7

Did well against Morocco's pace on the wing, but not much to do otherwise for the Barcelona defender.

MF: Manu Kone – 6.5

Making his second consecutive start due to Aurelien Tchouameni's injury, Kone completed 35 of 38 passes but like the defenders behind him, didn't have much of an opportunity to make a difference.

MF: Adrien Rabiot – 7

Made three interceptions with four clearances and did well to progress the ball to the front four.

FW: Ousmane Dembele – 8.5

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou will regret not keeping out Dembele's goal, but the Ballon d'Or winner seized control of the game in the second half with France struggling to find a way through.

FW: Kylian Mbappe - 8

Missing a penalty wasn't ideal, but it was his clever pace that drew the foul in the first place. Mbappe atoned with his 20th career World Cup goal in the second half and then gave way for a substitution with about 15 minutes left.

MBAPPÉ SCORES HIS 20TH CAREER FIFA WORLD CUP GOAL 🇫🇷

Kylian Mbappé has matched Messi with 8 goals so far this summer! pic.twitter.com/QRtd42KHsf
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 9, 2026

FW: Michael Olise - 6.5

Not the Bayern Munich playmaker's best game at this World Cup – completing just four of 10 dribbles – but kept probing at the Morocco defense and was instrumental in switching the play throughout.