France validated its ticket for the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup by logically dominating Morocco (2-0) this Thursday evening. Superior in the game, the Blues however stumbled for a long time against an immense Yassine Bounou. The Moroccan goalkeeper kept his team alive by notably stopping a penalty from Kylian Mbappé in the 25th minute before multiplying the decisive interventions on his line. A new very high level performance for the man who was undoubtedly the best Atlas Lion of the evening.
After the meeting, several French players were keen to praise the performance of the 35-year-old goalkeeper at the microphone of Hoppen Media. Former teammate of Bounou at Seville, Jules Koundé was full of praise. “He’s a great goalkeeper, but also a great person. But really. I spent three seasons with him in Seville, he was already a top goalkeeper. And then his career, everything he did in football, we will say that he came to the forefront quite late in Seville, he was already 28 years old. But everything he did for Morocco, he did a lot. He’s a legend, a great goalkeeper and I especially remember the man. He’s a cream, a huge guy, I wish him the best”launched the former Girondins de Bordeaux player.
Yassine Bounou’s class recognized
Even his counterpart Mike Maignan was admiring of the copy made by the Moroccan. “His performance tonight? Frankly, I am absolutely not surprised by his level. He’s a top goalkeeper, he’s always been there in everything he’s done. Before the match, we knew it wouldn’t be easy against him and he showed it again (laughs). Big respect to him. We greeted each other after the match, but frankly great respect to him for his match. » Testimonies which illustrate the immense respect which Bounou now enjoys on the international scene.
Lucid after the elimination, the main person concerned did not seek any excuse. In the mixed zone, the Moroccan goalkeeper preferred to retain the progress made by his selection for some time. “At the football level, I think that Morocco is a team that has grown a lot in recent years. I’m very happy with all the work the guys have done. Today it wasn’t easy, we didn’t recognize our team, it cost us a lot. It must be recognized that France was stronger. He is surely the favorite for the title. We must accept it and rebuild ourselves to prepare for the future. » An outing full of class, like a goalkeeper who leaves this World Cup with immense respect from his opponents.
