“Their attacking line is undoubtedly the finest in the tournament,” stated Norway coach Ståle Solbakken.
France made history as the first nation to net three or more goals in five consecutive World Cup matches, achieving a 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday, which propelled them into a round of 16 clash against Paraguay this weekend. Aiming for their third consecutive World Cup final, Les Bleus are poised as favorites to unseat reigning champions Argentina.
“There’s no denying that we have immense quality on our side,” remarked French midfielder N’Golo Kanté. “Yet, many other teams possess the same. We must avoid becoming overly self-assured.”
After clinching the title against Croatia in 2018, France faced defeat against Argentina in a penalty shootout during the 2022 final. Currently, Les Bleus stand undefeated at 4-0 in this tournament, outscoring their rivals 13-2.
“We need to maintain high standards because our upcoming opponents will challenge us,” expressed France coach Didier Deschamps. “It’s essential to refine our strategies and address some weaknesses. While we have endured few consequences, we did let in two goals.”
Mbappé is tied with Argentina’s Lionel Messi for the tournament lead with six goals, having recorded his third brace on Tuesday. Dembélé ranks fourth with four goals.
Olise tops the assist chart with five, while Mbappé and Dembélé each have two. Barcola has contributed one goal and two assists.
Mbappé has netted 18 goals in 18 World Cup appearances, just one shy of Messi’s record of 19 in 29 matches.
“I recognize my abilities, but I must demonstrate them on the grand stage that is the World Cup,” Mbappé said.
Employing a 4-2-3-1 formation, France allows for a fluid style of play under Deschamps’ guidance.
“They occupy various positions and aren’t static,” noted Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres. “Their chemistry in movement and connection is exceptional.”
Captain of the victorious 1998 squad, Deschamps became the manager in 2012 and announced in January that he will retire this summer. The win over Sweden marked his record 18th as a World Cup head coach.
Les Bleus tallied 14 goals across seven matches on their way to winning the 1998 World Cup, scored 12 in their second title run in 2018, and netted 16 four years prior.
“We’re significantly more offensive than during 2018 or 2022,” Mbappé stated through a translator. “This reflects the continuity of our development under Didier Deschamps over the last 14 years. The evolution is clear, highlighting his unique influence and the influx of young talent.”
France has ascended to the top spot in FIFA’s rankings, with their four victories coming against teams currently rated 18th (Senegal), 63rd (Iraq), 21st (Norway), and 37th (Sweden).
Saturday’s opponent, Paraguay, holds the 34th position. Potential quarterfinal adversaries include Morocco (sixth) and Canada (30th), while Spain (No. 3) may pose a threat in the semifinals.
Sweden coach Graham Potter claims France is the most formidable team he has observed in the tournament.
“Due to their skillful players in wide positions, you sometimes have to double up on them since they can easily defeat opponents in one-on-one situations,” he said. “They also possess a top-notch striker in the center, leading to multiple challenges. Furthermore, their solid defense makes direct play difficult against them.”
France aims to become just the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals, following Germany (1982-90) and Brazil (1994-2002).
“We carry both cherished and painful memories from our last World Cup experience,” said midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, part of the 2022 squad. “Everyone is prepared to fight and give their all to ensure that all the French people take pride in us.”
