New Delhi: As France thrashed Morocco 2-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter finals early Friday, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele became the first pair from the same nation since the Brazilian Ronaldo-Rivaldo duo in 2002 to score five or more goals each in a single edition of the world’s biggest tournament.
While Mbappe has netted eight times in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Dembele has scored five. With this, Mbappe is now level with Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot race.
After a goalless first half, Mbappe opened the scoresheet for Les Bleus in the 60th minute with a clinical curler from the left edge of the penalty box. Dembele doubled it for France after six minutes with a powerful placed shot from the inside of his right foot.
The duo has also created 19 chances for each other at this World Cup (10 Mbappe to Dembele, 9 Dembele to Mbappe). It’s the most by any French duo in the last 60 years, overtaking Alain Giresse and Michel Platini (18).
“Kylian, two or three minutes before (the goal), he told me to stay in the centre, as soon as we have the possibility we are going to go on a counter-attack,” Dembele told M6 after the match. “And that’s what happened. Then he also made a great run to create space. I saw that I was a bit open, I mainly tried to get my shot on target and it worked.”
The result sent France into the last four, where they will face the winner of Spain versus Belgium.
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Catching up to legends
Mbappe’s tournament has been impressive. He has now scored 20 World Cup goals in 20 appearances, the youngest player to reach that mark. His eight goal contributions in six games place him at the heart of France’s attack. Dembele’s five goals, meanwhile, highlight the team’s attacking depth alongside contributions from Michael Olise and Desire Doue, among others.
The comparison to 2002 is striking. Brazil’s “three R’s” — Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho — carried their team to glory, with Ronaldo’s eight goals and Rivaldo’s five forming the backbone of their campaign. France’s current front line resembles that potency, with the French side blending Mbappe’s finishing with Dembele’s versatility and having a commendable squad cohesion.
France’s path has been dominant. After topping their group, they dominated opponents in the knockout stages, with Mbappe frequently delivering. Dembele, often criticised in club football for inconsistency, has delivered on the biggest stage, adding goals and dynamism on the counter.
With one game separating France from the final, the duo’s form raises expectations. Mbappe has already won a World Cup in 2018 and reached the final in 2022. Adding the 2026 title would cement his legacy. For Dembele, this tournament represents redemption and peak performance.
France’s blend of experience, depth and attacking firepower makes them favourites. Yet history shows great teams can falter. The 2002 parallel offers inspiration, not a guarantee. As Mbappe and Dembele continue writing their chapter, the world watches to see if France can match Brazil’s 2002 success or if new challengers will emerge in the semifinals.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)