Two Ballon d’Or stars guided France to a third straight World Cup semi-final. Kylian Mbappé, nominated for the BO 8 times, and Ousmane Dembélé, the 2025 winner, led Les Bleus to a comfortable 2-0 win over Morocco on Thursday in Boston.

Despite a missed penalty during a first half in which France lacked composure in front of goal, Mbappé regrouped to score just after the hour mark (his 8th goal of the tournament). A right-footed strike across goal from the edge of the box that settled his side and set them on their way.

Proof came just 6 minutes later: Ousmane Dembélé, every inch the Ballon d’Or holder, drove forward through the middle before firing home with his right foot to make it 2-0 (his 5th goal of the tournament) Les Bleus, who will face Spain or Belgium in the semi-final, continue their outstanding World Cup campaign.

France had begun their World Cup in style, with a convincing 3-1 win over Senegal thanks to a first brace from Kylian Mbappé.

The intensity carried over against Iraq, whom Les Bleus duly beat 3-0, with another Mbappé double.

The captain then turned provider, setting up a hat-trick for Ousmane Dembélé in the final group match, as the reigning Ballon d’Or winner enjoyed himself against Norway (4-1).

Sweden fared no better in the round of 16 (3-0), undone by a third Mbappé double of the tournament. Michael Olise, 30th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, even chipped in with his 5th assist of the tournament.

Less prolific in front of goal and more disjointed, the round-of-16 match against Paraguay (1-0) didn’t stop Mbappé from scoring, from the penalty spot, after a foul on Désiré Doué, a one-time Ballon d’Or and Kopa Trophy nominee.