World Cup Breakfast: France are made to wait for Kylian Mbappe brilliance, Shakira blows a kiss to the crowd, match highlights - and what to look out for today

France has become the first team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup after overcoming a resilient Morocco side in a tightly contested match. The game was marked by early frustration for the French, as Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou consistently denied their attempts to score during the opening half.

For the first 26 minutes, Morocco maintained a disciplined defensive stance, preventing France from finding the back of the net. The breakthrough moment came when France was awarded a penalty following a foul on Kylian Mbappe by Noussair Mazraoui. However, Mbappe was unable to convert the spot-kick, with Bounou making a crucial save to keep the scores level and deny the French forward the chance to equal Lionel Messi's tournament goal record.

Despite this setback, Mbappe redeemed himself before the hour mark with a skillful curling shot that left Bounou with no chance, putting France ahead. Ousmane Dembele then extended the lead with a powerful long-range effort, capitalizing on a rare lapse from Morocco’s goalkeeper. These goals cemented France’s dominance and assured their passage to the next round.

Mbappe’s tally now stands at eight goals in the tournament, reinforcing his status as one of the competition’s most prolific scorers. His missed penalty sparked discussion around the effectiveness of the stutter-step technique employed in penalty kicks, which has posed challenges to several players during the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the tournament’s defensive narratives have shifted focus towards upcoming matches involving Spain and Belgium. Spain enters their quarter-final clash as the only nation yet to concede a goal in this World Cup, continuing a historic run of ten consecutive World Cup matches without allowing an opponent to score. Their steadfast defense, led by goalkeeper Unai Simon and defenders Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, and Marc Cucurella, will face a stern test against Belgium’s rejuvenated squad.

Belgium, no longer relying on their previous golden generation, have adapted their lineup effectively, notably omitting Kevin De Bruyne in favor of emerging talents such as Nicolas Raskin, who recently contributed an assist in their victory over the United States. This tactical shift has injected fresh energy into the team as they prepare to confront Spain’s defensive strength.

The potential semi-final between France and Spain carries significant weight, with many considering these teams the tournament’s leading contenders. Their meeting could be pivotal in determining the eventual champion, although other strong teams like England and Argentina remain in contention.

Off the pitch, the presence of global superstar Shakira has added a cultural dimension to the event. The singer, known for her World Cup anthems and personal ties to football, was spotted celebrating France’s performance and engaging with fans, underscoring the tournament’s global reach beyond the sport itself.

As the World Cup progresses into its final stages, the blend of emerging talent, tactical evolutions, and moments of individual brilliance continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Details regarding forthcoming matches and player performances remain closely watched as the competition intensifies.