France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the World Cup quarter-final on Thursday, advancing to the semi-finals with a performance that highlighted the team's tactical evolution under head coach Didier Deschamps. The scoreline mirrored their 2022 semi-final victory over the same opponents, but the style of play was markedly different, with Les Bleus embracing a more freeform attacking approach.
Mbappé and Dembélé lead the charge
Kylian Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 60th minute with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, his first goal of the match after a relatively wasteful display. Minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead, sparking celebrations as nearly the entire France squad engulfed him. Mbappé was forced off shortly after with an ankle problem, but France held on for the win.
By half-time, France had registered four times as many shots on target as they did in the entire 2022 match, according to match statistics. Despite Morocco's stern defensive test, France's high pressing line kept the Atlas Lions on the back foot for most of the first half.
Deschamps' tactical reinvention vindicated
Deschamps, who had set up pragmatically in 2022, has now embraced a style based on a fluid attacking line. “Morocco will be our opponent, not the referee,” Deschamps insisted on the eve of the match, as reported by French broadcaster M6. His side enjoyed a more even-handed officiating performance compared with their bruising win over Paraguay five days earlier.
In midfield, Manu Koné's all-action performance secured one of the few starting spots still open to debate, alleviating concerns over Aurélien Tchouaméni's fitness. The defence has scarcely been tested over the last three hours of play, a situation that suits Les Bleus given William Saliba's lingering back problems.
Clinical finishing remains a concern
Despite creating numerous chances, France's wayward finishing has been a recurring theme. “The better the quality of the opponent, the more clinical you have to be,” Deschamps said in his pre-match press conference, according to M6. Les Bleus ended the match with less time on the ball than Morocco, but the momentum never swung against them.
Adrien Rabiot told M6: “We felt that they weren’t dangerous in the moments when we left them the ball. We felt as though we didn’t have to fear them.” France now face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-final in Dallas, leaving the comfort zone they have established on the east coast.
