France confirms supremacy with 2‑0 win over Morocco

France confirmed their dominance by beating Morocco 2‑0 in the latest World Cup 2026 match, thanks to Kylian Mbappé (60’) and Ousmane Dembélé (66’). The victory extends their five‑game winning streak (5W‑0D‑0L) and follows the recent 1‑0 win over Paraguay on July 4 2026.

Why did the Koné‑Rabiot duo matter?

Claude Puel highlighted that Adrien Rabiot perfectly assumed the role usually played by Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was unavailable. By balancing the team in front of the defence, he freed Manu Koné, who used his aggressive ball recovery and technical shooting. The Roma midfielder thus showcases the depth of France’s bench, even though Hugo Ekitiké remains sidelined.

What held Morocco back?

According to the coach, the Moroccans stayed too compact, forgetting the vertical play that defined their earlier games. This rigidity let the French neutralise counter‑attacks, especially thanks to the game reading of Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba. Their collective effort denied Morocco space, forcing them to lose the ball on every attempt.

What’s next for France?

After this win, the next fixture is an away game against Turkey on September 25 2026. The current form (five straight wins) makes France a favourite, but the manager must cope with Ekitiké’s absence and ready the squad for a different challenge. The solid briefing from Didier Deschamps, mentioned by Puel, remains a key factor in keeping the team focused.

Mbappé’s missed penalty, a minor hiccup?

Mbappé’s penalty in the 28th minute was delayed by Argentine referee Facundo Tello, unsettling the striker. Despite that brief doubt, he bounced back, opening the scoring at the 60th minute and providing the assist to Dembélé six minutes later. Puel noted the side never lost composure, even after the initial miss.

Bottom line

The match displayed France’s tactical solidity, Rabiot’s ability to replace Tchouaméni and the depth of the French bench. With a winning streak and a looming clash against Turkey, Les Bleus look like genuine title contenders.