France superstar and Golden Boot contender Kylian Mbappe provides update after injury scare in 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final win over Morocco

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Kylian Mbappe eased concerns over his fitness following the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final win against Morocco on Thursday after the France and Real Madrid superstar left the pitch in the 77th minute.

Kylian Mbappe (France) during Quarter final FIFA World Cup 2026, France and Morocco, Boston Stadium, Boston, USA on July 09 2026.

Image credit: Getty Images

The 27-year-old had already scored a beautiful goal to break the deadlock on the hour mark for Les Bleus after Morocco had frustrated the tournament favourites, before assisting Ousmane Dembele's for the second.

That made amends after having his first-half penalty saved by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, and brought him level with Argentina star Lionel Messi’s eight goals in the race for the Golden Boot.

Mbappe left the field in a concerning manner when he raised his arm towards his bench and lay down on the pitch, stretching his right leg and was accompanied by a medical professional.

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He was later seen on the bench with ice on his right foot. However, after the full-time whistle, Mbappe joined in with the team's celebrations by jumping up and down.

After the match, he told media: "I have a minor ankle injury, but I'm completely fine. [Jean-Philippe] Mateta was in a better position to play the remaining minutes of the match and was fitter at that moment. That's all that happened."

Victory places France in Tuesday's semi-final in Dallas with either Spain or Belgium as they bid to win a third World Cup.

"We know there's only one way to relax, and that's to win," Mbappe continued.

"We're in the semi-finals, we're very happy, but there's still a long way to go. We know what lies ahead is even tougher than what we've already been through, but we're ready to face anything.

"We'll recover calmly and watch tomorrow's [Friday's] match to see who we'll be playing."

Mbappe has now registered 10 or more goal involvements in two consecutive World Cups - having scored eight and assisted two in 2022 - to become the first player since records began in 1966 to achieve the feat.

His current tally of 11 (8G 3A) is the most since Gerd Muller (10G 3A) in 1970 for West Germany.

Mbappe is one behind the all-time World Cup scoring record of 21, held by Messi.

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