New Delhi: Kylian Mbappe join in Lionel Messi in exclusive fifa world cup France produced an outstanding all-round performance as they beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals on Thursday. The French striker missed a first-half penalty but bounced back with a goal and an assist to help Les Roosters secure a spot in the World Cup semi-finals, where they will face either Spain or Belgium.With his performance, Mbappe achieved a feat that has only occurred four times in the past 60 years.Only four times in the past 60 years has a player scored, assisted and missed a penalty in a World Cup match. Two of those games took place in the past three days – Lionel Messi against Egypt and Kylian Mbappe against Morocco.The rare feat was first achieved by Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan at the 2006 World Cup against the Czech Republic. Karim Benzema then became the second player to do so in France’s 5-2 win over Switzerland in 2014.
Mbappe recovers from penalty miss
France looked set to take an early lead in the 25th minute when Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui brought down Mbappe in the penalty area.However, after a lengthy VAR review, the France star saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who guessed the right direction. The young lady didn’t let him slow down.Mbappe made amends in the 60th minute, scoring his eighth goal of the 2026 World Cup and the 20th World Cup goal of his career. Just six minutes later he set up Ousmane Dembélé, whose shot doubled France’s lead.
More records from Mbappe
Mbappe’s latest performance continues his excellent record at the World Cup.This is the third time he has scored and assisted in the same World Cup game. Only Lionel Messi has managed five such games in the past 60 years.The 27-year-old also became the first player since 1966 to score 10 or more goals in two different World Cups. He contributed 10 goals in 2022 and now 11 goals in 2026.His 20th World Cup goal also puts him just one away from Messi’s 21 goals.The victory takes the Roosters to their third consecutive World Cup semi-final (2018, 2022 and 2026). They became the third country after Germany and Brazil to achieve the feat.This is also the eighth time that the French team has entered the World Cup semi-finals, tying Brazil with the second most in the history of the World Cup. Only the German team has reached the semi-finals 12 times and the semi-finals more times.France will now look to defend their title against either Spain or Belgium for a place in the World Cup finals.
