Kylian Mbappé, 27, lowered Morocco and France is ready for the semi-finals of the World Cup.
But many in the country are probably holding their breath after the superstar was replaced.
– I got hit on the ankle, says Mbappé according to RMC Sports.
Just like in 2022, France beat Morocco in a World Cup knockout match.
This time, the quarter-final ended 2–0 after French superstars Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé eventually found a hole in goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
– I imagine that there is great enthusiasm in France. Here we live in our own bubble. Today we took another step and we are once again in the semi-finals, says national team captain Didier Deschamps according to RMC Sport.
The slap on Mbappé
Although it was a French victory, many in France were probably worried in the 76th minute.
The superstar Mbappé laid down on the grass and he was replaced immediately.
– It’s okay. I hit my ankle, but it’s not dangerous. In that situation, JP (Mateta) was more suited than me to play the last 15 minutes, so I went out and he came in, says Mbappé.
The Frenchman raised both hands in the air as he stepped off the pitch to great cheers from the crowd.
Reacted to the goal
Mbappé came into focus several times during the match. He missed a penalty after a very long wait but then got his revenge and scored his eighth goal of the World Cup, which means he shares the scoring league lead with Lionel Messi.
Morocco reacted to Mbappé’s goal as the ball bounced onto Frenchman Adrien Rabiot’s hand twelve seconds before the goal.
– The goal came after a special situation. Some players stopped because they thought it was a hand. It was hand, but I don’t know if it should have been blown off or not. I can’t say that, says Morocco’s national team captain Mohamed Ouahbi.
The second goal was scored by Ousmane Dembélé who was set up by Mbappé.
In the semi-finals, which will be played on July 14 at 21:00, France will face either Spain or Belgium.
