France has clinched its spot in the 2026 World Cup semifinals after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Morocco, a game in which Les Bleus proved they were far superior.
Despite not scoring or assisting a goal on the day, one player stood out to Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović: midfielder Michael Olise.
France only won 2-0, but the margin could have been much greater based on the balance of play, and that was despite Kylian Mbappé missing a penalty earlier on after a save from Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé scored within six minutes of each other in the second half to give France a much-deserved victory.
Despite not registering a goal or assist, Olise still bossed the game as France’s main creative outlet, showing his technical ability and his ability to find teammates with accurate, line-breaking passes. His play earned high praise from FOX Sports analysts Henry and Ibrahimović, who compared him to Tom Brady as Olise put on a display at Boston Stadium.
“I want to talk about the pass of Michael Olise,” Henry said. “… As soon as you get the ball, it’s over. We’re here in Foxborough … Tom Brady, that’s one of your loop passes in between. This team is very good.”
“He did amazing again,” Ibrahimović said of the Bayern Munich star. “He was the point guard. The Tom Brady of France today.
“When you have a player like Olise … don’t think, just run and the ball will arrive – and it will arrive exactly where you want it.”
France overpowered Morocco in one of the more one-sided quarterfinal matchups in recent history. France never really looked like getting out of second gear. And from the get-go, Morocco looked second best.
“This France team is gonna destroy you, and it feels like they’re not even giving 100%,” Ibrahimović said. “I’m sorry to say, but it feels like that. Imagine if they would push and give 100%, where they suffer and they really push for it and fight for it.”
“This is world-class,” he added. “If I talk about [Kylian] Mbappé, world-class gamers, you give them somewhat house, they’ll punish you. That’s the distinction between world-class and the common participant.”
France vs Morocco Prolonged Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Quarterfinals
France now awaits the winner of Spain-Belgium within the semifinals. Henry believes this France workforce may have a troublesome take a look at regardless of which workforce it faces, and he hopes there’s nonetheless one other degree France can attain even after this overpowering efficiency.
“I hope they’re going to have extra gears, as a result of whoever is coming subsequent goes to be an enormous recreation,” Henry stated.
“For those who play Belgium, there’s a little bit of rivalry there. And for those who play Spain, you higher be prepared as a result of they’re the European champions. what Spain can do. They bought France out of the final Euros within the semifinal.
“However yeah, let’s be calm, composed, targeted. You probably did what you needed to do immediately, and (did it) nicely, by the best way. On to the subsequent one. Get better, watch the sport and see who you’re going to play. Analyze it with whoever that you must analyze it with and prepare.
“It’s going to be, as soon as once more, troublesome.”
France will tackle the winner of Belgium-Spain on Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas Stadium (3 p.m. ET on FOX and streaming on FOX One).
