Mbappe and Dembele Did Something Not Seen at a World Cup Since 2002

France looked like the heavyweight they were supposed to be on Thursday. They took a frisky Morocco team, one that had already knocked out some big names, and handled business 2-0 in the quarterfinals. No drama. No late scares. Just two goals from their two biggest stars and a ticket to Arlington for the semis.

First half was a different story though. Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was standing on his head. He saved a penalty from Kylian Mbappe. He stopped a bunch of other chances too. France went into the break scoreless, and you could feel the tension starting to creep in. That’s when the superstars flipped the switch.

Mbappe’s eighth goal ties him for the Golden Boot lead

In the 60th minute, Mbappe got loose and buried a finish to the far post that Bounou had no chance at. It was one of his prettiest goals of the whole tournament. Six minutes later, Ousmane Dembele — yeah, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner — beat Bounou again and made it 2-0. Game over.

Mbappe now has eight goals in this World Cup. That ties him with Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Norway’s Erling Haaland at the top of the Golden Boot race. Dembele’s goal was his fifth. That’s the part that’s actually wild. Per ESPN Insights, France is the first team since 2002 to have two players score five or more goals at a single World Cup. Back then it was Brazil with Ronaldo and Rivaldo. Brazil won the whole thing that year. Just saying.

France is two wins from another title and looking scary

That Brazil precedent is probably good news for France. They’re two wins away from lifting a second World Cup in three tournaments. And right now it’s hard to see who slows them down. The firepower is just stupid. Mbappe can score from anywhere, Dembele is playing out of his mind, and the rest of the squad isn’t exactly shabby.

France gets a few days off before their semifinal next Tuesday in Arlington. They’ll find out their opponent Friday, when Spain takes on Belgium in the other quarterfinal in Los Angeles. Doesn’t really matter who wins. France has looked like the best team in the tournament from day one, and nothing that happened Thursday changes that.