France booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals with a commanding 2-0 victory over Morocco in their quarter-final clash.
Kylian Mbappe was the standout figure, recovering from a missed penalty to score a superb goal and drive Les Bleus into the last four.
The Real Madrid forward won the penalty himself after being scythed down in the area by Noussair Mazraoui during a quick French breakaway in the 25th minute.
Argentinian referee Facundo Tello pointed to the spot immediately, though a VAR review was required to rule out a prior foul on Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi in the build-up.
Mbappe’s kick was uncharacteristically weak and was easily stopped by Bounou, a rare slip from one of the tournament’s most electric attackers.
The Moroccan goalkeeper had an impressive first half, tipping a Desire Doue shot around the post to deny France the opening goal they were pressing for.
Lucas Digne also crashed a long-range effort onto the top of the bar, but the breakthrough finally arrived 15 minutes into the second half.
Doue slipped the ball to Mbappe just outside the area, and he controlled before using Issa Diop as a screen to direct a superb strike into the net.
His lay-off in the 66th minute then allowed Dembele to advance on goal and curl a shot low into the same corner to seal the win.
Dembele is the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and now has five goals at this World Cup, though Mbappe continues to dominate the headlines around this French side.
That goal was Mbappe’s eighth of the tournament, drawing him level once again with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot award.
He has now scored 20 goals across 20 World Cup appearances, leaving him just one behind Messi’s all-time tournament record of 21.
Concern did grow late on, however, as Mbappe was substituted and watched the closing minutes with an ice pack strapped around his right ankle.
France will face either Spain or Belgium in their semi-final fixture, scheduled to take place in Dallas next Tuesday.
