France beat Morocco 2-0 as Ounahi's knockout run ends in quarters
France beat Morocco 2-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final on July 9, ending the Atlas Lions' run despite midfielder Azzedine Ounahi starting after his opening goal against Canada. Kylian Mbappé scored in the 60th minute and Ousmane Dembélé added a second six minutes later, according to FOX Sports boxscore data from Gillette Stadium.
The result sent Les Bleus into the semi-finals while Morocco exited the tournament after a run built around players like Ounahi. For readers tracking how elite athletes sustain form across high-stakes knockout rounds, our Longevity & Biohacking coverage explores performance under tournament pressure.
Key Takeaways
- France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the World Cup quarter-final on July 9, 2026, per FOX Sports.
- Kylian Mbappé (60') and Ousmane Dembélé (66') scored France's goals; Ounahi started for Morocco in a 4-2-3-1.
- Ounahi had opened Morocco's scoring in a 3-0 round-of-16 win over Canada, as reported by the BBC.
- Canada coach Jesse Marsch said his side were "better than them" despite that loss, highlighting Morocco's quality before this tie.
- Morocco made substitutions around the hour mark as France seized control with two quick second-half goals.
What was the final score in France vs Morocco?
France won 2-0 in the quarter-final played on July 9, 2026. FOX Sports listed the final line as France 2, Morocco 0, with both goals arriving in the second half after a goalless first period.
Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 60th minute, assisted by Désiré Doué. Dembélé then extended the lead in the 66th minute with an assist from Mbappé. The boxscore showed Morocco unable to reply as France closed out the knockout tie.
How did Azzedine Ounahi perform after his Canada heroics?
Days earlier, Ounahi had been central to Morocco's progress. The BBC highlighted his opening goal in Morocco's 3-0 round-of-16 victory over Canada, a result that booked the Atlas Lions a quarter-final date with France.
Against Les Bleus, FOX Sports listed Ounahi in Morocco's starting midfield, wearing number 8 in a 4-2-3-1 shape. He was whistled for a foul in the 15th minute and remained on the pitch as Morocco reshuffled around the hour, with Bilal El Khannouss and Ayyoub Bouaddi substituted at 61 minutes and Soufiane Rahimi introduced shortly after France's opener.
FOX Sports also featured Ounahi in a Morocco team spotlight titled "For The Love of Morocco," underscoring his profile heading into the France rematch. Issa Diop received a yellow card in the 63rd minute as the tie slipped away from Morocco.
Why did Jesse Marsch praise Morocco before this quarter-final?
Even in defeat, Morocco had already impressed rival coaches. After Canada's 3-0 exit, The Guardian reported Jesse Marsch insisting Canada "were better than them" for long stretches, while acknowledging Morocco's extra quality in the final third.
Marsch added he would "rather be us than them" while still praising Morocco's strength. That context framed France's task: beat a side that had just eliminated a co-host and carried momentum from Ounahi's breakthrough performance.
What happens next after France's quarter-final win?
France advance to the World Cup semi-finals following the 2-0 result. Morocco's 2026 campaign ends in the last eight despite a tournament showing anchored by standouts such as Ounahi.
For Morocco, the arc from Ounahi's Canada opener to a quarter-final start against France captures how quickly knockout football turns on fine margins. France, meanwhile, move on with Mbappé and Dembélé delivering when the tie was still level after 59 minutes.