FIFA World Cup: France join Germany and Brazil in elite club as they become ...

France became only the third national team in history to reach the semifinals at three consecutive World Cup tournaments after Germany, who achieved it four times between 2002 and 2014, and Brazil, who did it three times between 1994 and 2002.Les Bleus beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinal at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Boston on Thursday night, with goals from Kylian Mbappé in the 60th minute and Ousmane Dembélé six minutes later sealing a comfortable victory. The win sends France into the semifinal where they will face the winner of Spain against Belgium in Dallas next Tuesday.With Morocco struggling to create any chances of note, first Mbappé and then Dembélé made them pay as France continued their bid to reach a third successive World Cup final.It was a fitting result for a team that has been the tournament's most clinical and complete side throughout. France is the only team at this World Cup to win all five of their matches without needing extra time, a stat that underlines the sheer dominance Didier Deschamps' side has shown from the first whistle of the group stage.The victory was also a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semifinal in Qatar, where France beat Morocco by the same scoreline. Four years on, the result was identical, though this time Morocco arrived with the swagger and belief of a team that had already beaten Canada and pushed Bounou's penalty heroics to the limit against France's captain.Mbappé was substituted in the 77th minute after spending a brief moment on the ground, but left the field under his own power, a relief for France ahead of the semifinal. His goal on Thursday was his eight of the tournament, taking him to the top of the Golden Boot standings alongside Lionel Messi.Germany reached four consecutive semifinals between 2002 and 2014, winning the trophy in 2014. Brazil reached three consecutive semifinals between 1994 and 2002, winning in 1994. France won in 2018, lost the final in 2022 and now, in 2026, they are 180 minutes away from becoming world champions again.The last four awaits. And France, as ever, are the team to beat for the ultimat glory.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.