France breezed through to the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup™ with a
Les Bleus scored three or more goals for the fourth consecutive game
The best front four of the tournament – Mbappé, Olise, Dembélé and Barcola – are at the peak of their powers
While France have been seemingly unbeatable at the , the same cannot be said for the each of the opponents they have faced so far. France may have indeed won all their individual battles in their 3-0 win over Sweden in New York/New Jersey this Tuesday, but this result would not have been possible without their defensive stability and the team's ever-greater balance. However, it was one of France's front four – among the most exciting attacking quartets in the tournament's history who stole the show once again, with Kylian Mbappé bagging a momentous brace to cement his status as one of the greatest World Cup goal scorers of all time.
Bradley Barcola came in for Désiré Doué, repaying his manager's faith with his second goal of the tournament, while Ousmane Dembélé, the hat-trick hero in France's 4-1 victory over Norway, put in another excellent performance that allowed his teammates to play their own game. And then there's Michael Olise, who seems to be here, there and everywhere, having already registered five assists in the tournament – just one less than the great Pelé at Mexico 1970.
"It's incredible to play with them," said Bradley Barcola after the match, when asked about the other members of France's attacking quartet. "We know they're top players, and having this connection with them is wonderful."
However, it's no surprise that Kylian Mbappé posts the most impressive numbers of them all. The Real Madrid forward leads the adidas Golden Boot race for the tournament with six goals, and has also registered two assists. Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals, heading into this tournament, has already been eclipsed by the Frenchman, who now has 18 to his name, and there is also the possibility that he could surpass the current holder, Lionel Messi. Mbappé's World Cup record seems too good to be true: 18 goals in as many games.
"He is exceptional, he is incredible," said Lucas Digne to FIFA, full of praise for France's number 10. "He's in unbelievable form, he works hard for the team, he sets an example as the true captain he is, both on and off the pitch. He has to keep up the good form.”
"Does it surprise me? I don't know," replied Aurélien Tchouaméni, when asked about the exceptional performances of his Real Madrid team-mate. "He's been playing at a world-class level for many years now. But there's no doubt that when he plays at that level, as well the [other] attacking players, I think that as a team, we are capable of doing wonderful things."
While Kylian Mbappé stole the show by adding to his already-impressive numbers, Ousmane Dembélé impressed through his accuracy, recording a 92% pass completion rate. He also assisted Mbappé for France's opening goal and was only centimetres away from scoring his fifth goal of the tournament. Michael Olise, meanwhile, is a genuine anomaly. It's hard to explain how the Bayern Munich winger – who saw his spectacular overheard kick attempt against Sweden come crashing back off the post – has failed to become a prolific goalscorer himself. But that's not really important, as the 24-year-old regularly puts the ball on a plate for his team-mates to score instead.
"He's one of a kind," remarked Lucas Digne. "What he's doing doesn't surprise us. But all the attacking players are putting in a shift defensively, and it's incredible to have a team like that. When the whole team is well-organised like that, it's just a pleasure to go out and play [with them]."
Only the fourth place in France's attacking quartet is uncertain. Didier Deschamps opted for Bradley Barcola over Désiré Doué on Tuesday, and the way he perfectly fit into the team's system and style of play justified his manager's decision. In fact, the young Frenchman admits that he never expected this tournament to have gone so well on a personal level.
Speaking to FIFA, the former Lyon star said, "I certainly couldn't have imagined this, but I'm so happy with what I've managed to do for now. I really hope it stays that way. As long as I can help the team, then even better."
After four victories, and scoring 13 goals and exhibiting an air of ever-increasing dominance in the process, France are continually progressing in this tournament and emerging as serious contenders for the title. While the level of opposition will undoubtedly rise as they progress through the rounds, it is clear that very few teams will be able to compete with Les Bleus if their 'Fantastic Four' continue in the same vein.
Sources: FIFA Official
