Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s World Cup Breakfast from day 30 at the tournament – your one-stop shop for everything you’ve missed overnight in North America.
For all the latest news, viral moments and what to look out for, stay right here.
Yesterday’s action
France 2-0 Morocco
Tournament favourites France had knocked on the Morocco door for 26 minutes, with Yassine Bounou keeping the African champions level, until Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui tripped Kylian Mbappe in the box.
But, this time, the forward made a mistake of his own, as his tame penalty was easily saved by Bounou to keep Morocco level, and preventing Mbappe going level with Lionel Messi again on eight goals this tournament.
There had been plenty of frustration for France up until the hour mark, but Mbappe did then take his chance as he curled into the far corner to put his side ahead.
Soon after, Ousmane Dembele made it five for the tournament as he shot from distance – Bounou should have done better, but France were then well in the driving seat, and booked their spot in the semi-final against Spain or Belgium on Tuesday in Dallas.
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Kylian Mbappe made it eight goals for the tournament – and missed a penalty – as France became the first side to reach the semi-finals
View from the ground
A rather terrifying glimpse into the future here, with a taxi ride in a driverless car. Call me old-fashioned, but there’s something dystopian about a vehicle pulling up at the spot where you’re standing, waiting for you to put your seat belt on, and then heading off up to the junction, the driving wheel being manipulated as if by an invisible man.
Once I’d learned to trust the AI, the journey was a breeze and came with a lot of added benefits. No driver road rage. No belting around corners at high speed. No risks: when a lane of traffic is blocked by a stationary car, the computer waits for a total break in traffic before manoeuvring around it. And no need for conversation. I embarked on a loud and boring line of chat about the World Cup at one stage, to see if this service extended to the car talking back. ‘View from the ground’ can reveal that this does not happen.
What was missing from this noiseless, sterile clinical glimpse into 2030s travel, of course, was humanity. Life-force. The talks with taxi drivers are what define covering World Cups like this. I’ll never forget the cabbie in Volgograd in 2018, who told me: ‘You in the west think we’re the Russian bear but we’re not. We are people. Same hopes and wishes as you.’
Having rejected football chat, the car told me we were about to arrive and to gather up my possessions. Thanks for the modernity, but I’ll keep travel just the way it is.
Ian Herbert
Daily Mail Sport’s Ian Herbert took a driverless taxi – but prefers things the old-fashioned way
Team of the day
Thanks as always to Sofascore for the graphic.
Celebrity watch
She’s sung World Cup anthems, dated a former winner, and now she’s a super fan.
Shakira was again in attendance at the World Cup for France’s clash with Morocco, blowing a kiss to the crowd she appeared on the big screen in the first-half.
The global phenomenon has been in attendance regularly at the tournament with her children, and appeared in good spirits here.
Shakira blew a kiss to the crowd as she appeared on the big screen during France vs Morocco
Viral moment of the day
Much was made of how long Mbappe was made to wait between being awarded and taking his penalty.
There were three minutes and 11 seconds between the forward being fouled and missing his kick. Two free-kicks had to be checked, while the referee also had to tussle with Morocco players looking to implement mind games.
And then there’s the case of the stutter penalty. They have been a hot topic this World Cup with players – such as Harry Kane, Bruno Guimaraes and now Mbappe – struggling when using the technique.
‘I am here once again to say nothing in life gives me more joy than someone missing a stutter penalty,’ one X user wrote.
Still, it didn’t matter in the end. And Mbappe, who has also had success with the technique, is unlikely to change his ways any time soon.
Picture of the day
It was going to take something special for Bounou to be beaten in the Morocco goal and Mbappe produced that.
A fine curling effort leaving the Morocco man with no chance.
It was always going to take something special to beat Yassine Bounou in the Morocco goal
Stat of the day
As they did against Paraguay, France found it hard to break down their opponents in the first-half of the game against Morocco.
Their xG (expected goals) of 1.87 was the highest of a team who has failed to score in the first 45 minutes of a World Cup match this summer, and that number hit two before Mbappe broke the deadlock.
No need to worry, though – France are now the highest scorers in the tournament.
Three things to look out for today
1. Does De Bruyne start?
Belgium have been relying on their old guard for a while now, but Rudi Garcia switched things up for the win over the United States.
He made the call to drop Kevin De Bruyne, who has struggled for form all tournament, and reaped the rewards. His replacement, Nicolas Raskin, picked up an assist, and could keep his place.
Jeremy Doku was also dropped for the game, with Dodi Lukebakio starting instead. We’ll see if Garcia goes with the same duo that helped his side beat the USA.
2. Can Spain continue sensational defensive run?
England’s win over Mexico meant Spain were the only team left not to concede a goal this tournament, and they made sure that record stayed in tact in their 1-0 win over Portugal.
They have gone a record 10 World Cup games without conceding a goal, and their defence of Unai Simon, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, and Marc Cucurella deserves plaudits.
Belgium will have to breach that defence if they want to progress to the semi-finals. Easier said than done.
3. A semi-final to decide the champions?
Many had hoped for a France vs Spain final, but that’s not been possible with both teams on the same side of the draw.
Still, with France beating Morocco last night, the two sides will meet in the semis if Spain can get the job done today.
Adjudged by many to be the best two sides in the competition, the potential semi-final could go a long way to deciding who lifts the trophy next week. Though the likes of England and Argentina will have something to say about that.
Lamine Yamal will be key for a Spain side looking to set up a semi-final with France which could potentially decide the champions
Today’s game
Spain vs Belgium (8pm, California, BBC)
It’s heavyweight clashes only now and this game is certainly one of them.
Though Belgium no longer have their ‘golden generation’ at their disposal, they have still been solid this tournament, and seem to be hitting form at the right time.
As for Spain, their defence is resolute and the likes of Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal can cause an issue for any side. Belgium won’t be pushovers, but the European champions are still big favourites.
Daily Mail Sport prediction: Spain win
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