During the match between France and Morocco, Kylian Mbappe went down on his own in the 77th minute and was immediately substituted with what appears to be muscle discomfort. However, it is worth noting that he stood up and walked off the pitch under his own power, suggesting it might not be anything serious. Speaking after the game, Mbappe provided an injury update, claiming to be fine.
Mbappe was substituted but first made his mark in the matchup. He initially missed a penalty, which put France in a tough position and placed Mbappe on an unwanted list alongside Karim Benzema after Bono made a spectacular save to join an exclusive list of his own.
However, it did not end there. He also scored a stunning goal in the 60th minute after receiving an assist from Desire Doue. Mbappe found himself in the box with defenders draped over him, executed a quick cut close to his foot to open up space, and unleashed a cross-shot that left Bono with no chance, making the score 1-0 and tallying his 8th goal of the World Cup.
Is Mbappe’s injury serious?
It is a great sign that Mbappe walked off under his own power, and perhaps it was a personal decision not to risk his physical condition given that France were already winning 2-0. The move also keeps the semifinals in mind, where they will face a more than complicated opponent in the winner of Spain vs Belgium.
Mbappé exits the match and salutes the fans in Boston with France up 2-0 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/OAyIUBDcC3
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 9, 2026
A notable detail from the broadcast showed Mbappe on the substitutes’ bench, seated with what appeared to be ice on his instep and his cleats already removed, but at full time, Mbappe was jumping and running around celebrating. An official statement is expected, with hopes that it is nothing serious.
What is next for France and Mbappe
With the victory over Morocco, France await their semifinal opponent, marking their third consecutive World Cup semifinal appearance since 2018. As previously mentioned, the matchup will be against the winner of Spain vs Belgium.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET at Dallas Stadium. It is a matchup that will generate plenty of discussion. On the other side of the bracket, more highly intriguing fixtures await, including England vs Norway and Argentina vs Switzerland, as this beautiful competition edges closer to its conclusion.
