France crushed Morocco 2:0 and reach World Cup semi-finals – celebrations erupt in Paris
Football is not just a game but a national pulse that beats in sync with every goal. As France edges closer to a historic third consecutive final, the nation holds its breath – and after victory, explodes in joy. The quarter final against Morocco was a true test of nerves, but goals from Mbappé and Dembélé gave the French not only a semi final ticket but also the chance to dream of three stars on their shirts once again.
France qualified for the 2026 World Cup semi finals in Morocco, beating their opponents 2:0 in the quarter finals. Les Bleus will face the winner of the other quarter final between Belgium and Spain on Tuesday. Didier Deschamps' side is aiming for a third straight final – an unprecedented achievement in the history of world football.
In Paris, crowds flooded the streets immediately after the final whistle. The City Hall was draped in tricolour, while railway stations and metro stops filled with fans in blue shirts. Across the city, the match was broadcast on giant screens, and thousands of supporters in blue followed every moment of the game.
Before the match, fans' moods swung between confidence and tension. One said: "I'd like it to be a good game. It doesn't matter who wins, as long as it's a proper match." Another, more anxious, admitted: "I'm stressed. There's too much at stake. Too big a challenge – and it's Morocco." Predictions ranged from "absolutely no doubt about the win, at least 5:0" to more cautious "it will be a tight, tense game." The first half ended goalless (0:0), and when Kylian Mbappé converted a penalty, the tension reached its peak. "I don't know what will happen, I'm tense, but I stay confident. I hope this year is ours," said another supporter.
The breakthrough came in the second half: Mbappé, flawless, opened the scoring with a precise angled shot. Six minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé, the recent Ballon d'Or winner, doubled the lead, and the 2:0 victory became a reality. The streets of the French capital exploded with joy. "Magnificent – two magnificent goals – pure happiness!" one fan exclaimed.
France reached the World Cup semi finals in Morocco, where they will face the winner of the Belgium–Spain tie on Tuesday 14 July. Over the last eight years, the French have played in two finals (2018 – winners, 2022 – runners up) and now have the chance to become the first team in history to reach three consecutive finals.
As CCTV+ reports. The quest for a third star continues, and the whole nation shares one dream.
