France 2-0 Morocco player ratings: Kylian Mbappé decisive, Manu Koné excels | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé shook off a first-half penalty miss to put France on course for the World Cup semi-finals, scoring in a 2-0 win over Morocco on Thursday. L'Équipe’s player ratings also underlined Manu Koné’s authority in midfield.

Mbappé drew an early save, Dayot Upamecano headed a Ousmane Dembélé cross, and Koné made a vital recovery. Désiré Doué dispossessed Achraf Hakimi to spark the penalty on 25 minutes, after Michael Olise had fed Mbappé, but Yassine Bounou saved the spot-kick on 28 minutes. Dembélé curled just wide, Doué shot tamely after another steal, and Lucas Digne’s strike was tipped on to the bar before Adrien Rabiot conceded a late first-half free-kick.

The breakthrough came on 60 minutes when Doué released Mbappé, who finished superbly. Dembélé added the second on 66 minutes, his strike beating Bounou too easily. Mbappé later departed on 77 minutes with a right ankle knock after a collision with Diop, Mateta coming on.

Mike Maignan had little to do, with Morocco failing to register a shot on target until Azzedine Ounahi tested him on 83 minutes. Upamecano and William Saliba exuded control, Jules Koundé was steady, and Digne impressed after a testing start. Koné’s pressing set the tone, before Zaïre-Emery replaced him on 71 minutes.

Doué impressed in flashes and later made way for Barcola on 77 minutes. Koundé was replaced by Gusto on 87 minutes. Didier Deschamps’ 4-2-3-1 continues to pay off, built on collective defensive work and successive clean sheets.

Source: L'Équipe