NEW DELHI: Kylian Mbappe joined Lionel Messi in an exclusive FIFA World Cup club after producing a remarkable all-round display in France’s 2-0 win over Morocco in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The France forward missed a first-half penalty but bounced back with a goal and an assist as Les Bleus booked their place in the FIFA World Cup semifinals, where they will face either Spain or Belgium.With his performance, Mbappe achieved a feat that has been seen only four times in the last 60 years. There’s only been four occasions in the last 60 years that a player has scored, assisted and missed a penalty in a World Cup match. Two of those have come in the last three days – Lionel Messi against Egypt and Kylian Mbappe against Morocco.The rare feat was first achieved by Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan against the Czech Republic at the 2006 World Cup. Karim Benzema then became the second player to do so during France’s 5-2 win over Switzerland at the 2014 edition.
Mbappe recovers from penalty miss
Mbappe looked set to give France an early lead after Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui brought him down inside the penalty area in the 25th minute.However, after a lengthy VAR review, the French star saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who guessed the right direction. The miss did little to slow him down.Mbappe made amends in the 60th minute, firing home his eighth goal of the 2026 World Cup and the 20th World Cup goal of his career. Just six minutes later, he set up Ousmane Dembele, whose finish doubled France’s lead.
More records for Mbappe
Mbappe’s latest display continued his outstanding World Cup record.It was the third time he had scored and assisted in the same World Cup match. Only Lionel Messi, with five such games, has managed it more often in the last 60 years.The 27-year-old also became the first player since 1966 to register 10 or more goal contributions in two different World Cups. He had 10 goal contributions in 2022 and now has 11 in the 2026 edition.His 20th World Cup goal also moved him within one strike of Messi’s tally of 21.The victory sent Les Bleus into the World Cup semifinals for the third tournament in a row (2018, 2022 and 2026). They became only the third nation to achieve that feat after Germany and Brazil.It was also France’s eighth World Cup semifinal appearance, drawing level with Brazil for the second-most in tournament history. Only Germany, with 12 semifinal appearances, have reached the last four more often.France will now look to continue their title defence when they meet either Spain or Belgium for a place in the World Cup final.
