France outclass Morocco to book semi-final spot

Kylian Mbappe scored his eighth goal of this World Cup to make up for an earlier missed penalty as France proved too good for Morocco and moved into the semi-finals. Mbappe won the first-half penalty when he was fouled by Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui, but his poorly hit spot-kick was comfortably saved by Yassine Bounou. The Real Madrid striker made amends in the 60th minute with a superb curling effort from just inside the penalty area to give France a deserved lead. Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele doubled France’s advantage six minutes later

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France progress past Paraguay in ill-tempered affair

World Cup favourites France were made to sweat to book their quarter-final place but Kylian Mbappe’s second-half penalty proved enough to help them past a resolute Paraguay in Philadelphia. Paraguay limited the two-time winners to very few chances until substitute Desire Doue was fouled inside the box by Brighton’s Diego Gomez and referee Ilgiz Tantashev pointed to the spot after a video assistant referee (VAR) intervention.

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Mbappé hits double as France ease past Sweden into last 16

Kylian Mbappe became the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup knockout matches as France cruised past Sweden 3-0 to set up a last 16 tie with Paraguay. A strike in each half took Mbappe to 10 knockout stage goals, while he now shares the lead in the Golden Boot race at this tournament with Argentina’s Lionel Messi, with both on six goals.

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France make light work of Iraq despite rain delay

Kylian Mbappe scored twice on his 100th appearance for France as they beat Iraq 3-0 in a match delayed for more than two hours by bad weather. Mbappe scored either side of the storm which delayed the second half to move alongside Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, behind only Lionel Messi who took the record to 18 with two goals against Austria on Monday.

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Mbappé brace powers France to victory over Senegal

Captain Kylian Mbappe became France’s all-time leading men’s scorer with a double against Senegal as they ran out 3-1 winners. France took charge after the break, with skipper Mbappe scoring in the 66th minute and substitute Bradley Barcola doubling their lead. A chaotic stoppage-time period saw Ibrahim Mbaye pull one back for Senegal, but just one minute later Mbappe had the final say with a stunning long-range strike.

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