France Advances to World Cup Semifinals with Mbappé and Dembélé Leading the Way

The 2026 World Cup has reached its critical stage as only eight teams remain in the quarterfinals. France kept their flawless record intact, winning all six matches without extra time by beating Morocco 2-0.

Kylian Mbappé continued his remarkable run, scoring once and missing a rare penalty. His goal early in the second half pushed him ahead of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race; both have eight goals but Mbappé leads with three assists compared to Messi’s one. Shortly after, Ousmane Dembélé sealed the victory with a decisive strike. This marks France's third consecutive World Cup semifinal appearance.

Mbappé left the field late due to an ankle knock but appeared fine after the match, even celebrating with teammates. Next, France will face the winner of the upcoming Belgium-Spain match.

World Cup Quarterfinals Schedule

• Final score: France 2, Morocco 0
• Friday, July 10, 3 p.m. ET (Fox): Belgium vs. Spain
• Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m. ET (Fox): Norway vs. England
• Saturday, July 11, 9 p.m. ET (Fox): Argentina vs. Switzerland

Spain Faces Belgium in a High-Stakes Matchup

Spain arrives at the quarterfinals unbeaten defensively, having scored nine goals while conceding none so far. The team has set a record with six straight World Cup clean sheets, allowing the lowest shot quality among all teams. Their goalkeeper Unai Simón has faced just five shots on target and saved every one.

Belgium dominated the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16, showing strong attacking form despite missing key players like Kevin De Bruyne. They executed a strategy to avoid the U.S. press effectively and may try similar tactics against Spain.

Spain’s solid defense will be tested by Belgium’s dynamic midfield, considered one of the tournament’s best. Belgium’s coach Rudi Garcia tends to push aggressively late in games, as seen when they scored twice in the final minutes against Senegal. This suggests chances for both sides to score in Friday’s match.

Match Details: Spain vs. Belgium

Friday, July 10 | 3 p.m. ET | Inglewood, California | TV: Fox

Odds favor Spain at -380, with Belgium at +290.

Semifinals Await the Winners

With six of the top eight FIFA-ranked nations still competing, the semifinals promise intense battles. Legendary players like Mbappé, Messi, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane continue to dominate the tournament, thrilling fans with spectacular goals and performances.

Mbappé now leads the Golden Boot race thanks to his latest goal, surpassing Messi by assists. Both stars missed penalties in their recent games, but their overall influence remains immense. Messi hopes to reclaim the lead during Argentina’s upcoming match against Switzerland.

Other Highlights and Stories

• England achieved their best win abroad at a major tournament, setting up a tough quarterfinal against Norway and Erling Haaland.
• Christian Pulisic of the USMNT faced criticism from Carli Lloyd amid reports he played injured with a tibia/fibula microfracture.
• The USA-Belgium match became the most-watched soccer game ever in the U.S., drawing over 33 million viewers on Fox and additional Spanish-language audiences.
• Erling Haaland commented on Mbappé’s lengthy wait to take a penalty, calling it excessive.

Looking Ahead

The semifinal lineup will include France against either Spain or Belgium, with other matches featuring Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland. Each team is just one win away from the final, raising the stakes and excitement.