Dembele: Mbappe Told Me To Stay Central – Then He Opened Up The Space

Ousmane Dembele credited Kylian Mbappe’s tactical intelligence after scoring the decisive goal in France’s World Cup 2026 quarterfinal win over Morocco. The PSG forward, who sealed the victory with a composed finish off Mbappe’s assist, revealed a quiet exchange in the build-up made all the difference. “Two or three minutes before my goal, Kylian told me to stay in the middle. He made an incredible run that freed up space for me. I just wanted to get the shot on target and see the ball hit the net. We were completely focused on this match,” Dembele said. This marks Dembele’s third World Cup semifinal appearance with France – a milestone he described as “an incredible joy.” He insisted the squad will not ease up: “We’ll keep full concentration on what’s ahead. It’s a huge pleasure to be playing in a World Cup semifinal again.”