Tensions flared across the streets of London immediately after France eliminated Morocco from the FIFA World Cup. Football supporters flooded the major streets of West London the moment the French team secured their spot in the tournament’s semi-finals.
Metropolitan Police officers were deployed heavily to Edgware Road to contain the crowd that took over the area following Morocco’s defeat. During the efforts to push back and manage the large, volatile gathering, a Met police officer sustained injuries. Moving in formation behind protective shields, rows of officers marched down the street to establish a perimeter around the fallen officer.
🇬🇧 Absolute chaos in London after Morocco lost to France.
Multiple videos show streets turning wild as Morocco fans react to the World Cup exit.
This is getting out of control… What’s happening?
Writer: Valpic.twitter.com/bG6sgcXSP2
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 10, 2026
France beat Morocco 2-0 to book a semi-final berth
On the pitch, France comfortably secured their place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals by beating Morocco 2-0 on Thursday. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring on the hour mark before Ousmane Dembele scored the second six minutes later to send the French into a semi-final against either Spain or Belgium.
Earlier in the match, Mbappe’s weak spot-kick was saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, but he made up for that by producing a brilliant curling finish to make it 1-0 on the hour mark.
The strike marked Mbappe’s eighth goal of the competition, putting him level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot standings. He was substituted late in the game and spent the final minutes watching from the bench with an ice pack wrapped tightly around his right ankle.
Before exiting, he set up Ousmane Dembele to run through and settle the contest, watched by 63,811 at the Gillette Stadium, as France knocked Morocco out, just as they did in 2022.
Their 2-0 victory four years ago in Qatar took place during the semi-finals, and this latest triumph ensures Les Bleus move into the final four once again. They are scheduled to face either Spain or Belgium next Tuesday in Dallas.
With long-serving manager Didier Deschamps set to step down after the tournament, France remains completely focused on reaching their third consecutive World Cup final.
The French are one of the most inform team in World Cup history with a title win in 2018, followed by a run to the final in 2022 and now a semi-final again in 2026.
