France have become the first nation into the World Cup semi-finals after an impressive 2-0 victory over Morocco, showcasing why they remain the team to beat in the 2026 competition. World Cup winners in 1998 and 2018, France have created another special team and are favourites to win the tournament. With manager Didier Deschamps in his final tournament, former midfielder Patrick Vieira said this current crop were on the verge of greatness, calling the attacking players "maybe one of the best." France's victory came with two goals in a six-minute spell in the second half, with Kylian Mbappe's opener quickly followed by a goal from Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele. Those goals were the 15th and 16th France have scored in this tournament, more than any other team. Mbappe's goal was his eighth of the tournament, moving him level with Argentina's Lionel Messi as top scorer, while Dembele now has five goals. France are only the second side in the past 50 years to have two players score five or more goals at the same World Cup tournament, after Brazil in 2002. Former Scotland striker Pat Nevin called France "the best, most skilful, most dangerous attacking team in the tournament."
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