Penalty miss? No problem: Mbappe keeps rewriting World Cup history

I have a minor ankle injury, but I'm completely fine.

Kylian Mbappe

A missed penalty could not stop Kylian Mbappe from adding another remarkable chapter to his World Cup career as the France captain scored his 20th tournament goal to send Les Bleus into a third consecutive World Cup semifinal with a 2-0 victory over Morocco on Friday.

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On a night packed with milestones, Mbappe became the youngest player to reach 20 World Cup appearances at the age of 27 and also equalled Hugo Lloris' French record for matches played at the tournament.

The forward recovered from a rare setback after seeing his first-half penalty saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou -- his first penalty miss for France since Euro 2020 -- by producing a trademark finish just after the hour mark. Picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area, Mbappe curled a superb right-footed strike beyond Bounou before Ousmane Dembele doubled France's advantage six minutes later.

The goal was Mbappe's 20th in just his 20th World Cup appearance, underlining his extraordinary consistency on football's biggest stage.

It also took the 27-year-old to eight goals in the tournament, drawing him level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race while moving him to within one goal of the Argentine's all-time World Cup scoring record.

France coach Didier Deschamps hailed Mbappe's response after the penalty miss, saying the captain never allowed the disappointment to affect him.

"When it's Kylian, there's no problem -- he never doubts himself," Deschamps said.

The coach also praised his team's latest achievement after France reached the last four for a third successive World Cup.

When it's Kylian, there's no problem -- he never doubts himself.

France coach Didier Deschamps

"We're exactly where we wanted to be. We're taking another step forward today, finding ourselves in the final four once again. It shows we're right there in the mix," he said.

There was a brief scare when Mbappe was substituted late in the second half after taking a knock to his ankle, but the forward quickly dismissed concerns over his fitness.

"I have a minor ankle injury, but I'm completely fine," Mbappe said.

With at least two matches remaining, Mbappe has the opportunity to surpass his eight-goal tally from the 2022 World Cup and move ahead of Messi in the competition's all-time scoring charts.

France will next face either Spain or Belgium for a place in the World Cup final as Mbappe continues his pursuit of more history.

Highlights

Youngest player to reach 20 World Cup appearances.

Equalled Hugo Lloris' France record for World Cup matches.

Scored his 20th World Cup goal despite missing a first-half penalty.

Joint top scorer at the tournament with eight goals.

One goal behind Lionel Messi in the all-time World Cup scoring chart.