​FOXBOROUGH, MA — France’s strength lies in the sheer talent of its players, with three of the world’s best—Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise—creating a wealth of options for head coach Didier Deschamps. Pair that depth with a nation long associated with footballing passion and success, and it explains why France sits on the cusp of a third consecutive appearance in a final after a 2-0 triumph over Morocco in the quarterfinal on Thursday, July 9.
The secret sauce of this French side—and the béarnaise, if you will—doesn’t hinge on Ballon d’Or contenders or Golden Boot favorites. It rests on a belief that nothing matters more than the jersey they wear, whether the collar is up or down. “First and foremost, we play with passion, the passion of representing our country,” said Mbappe, who struck his eighth goal of the tournament to open the scoring in the 60th minute. For these players, nothing in their professional careers carries more weight than donning the blue jersey. The veterans pass down this ethos to the younger generation, preserving a tradition of pride and duty.
“They need to know the pressure that comes with representing France,” Mbappe noted. “Because you have to win. Otherwise, people will want to kill you.” For Deschamps, being part of the national team and wearing the jersey is, above all else, a supreme priority. “It really pleases me that the players are attached to it,” he said.
Against Morocco, France endured a taut opening period and then some. Mbappe’s penalty miss—delayed by a VAR check despite both sides appearing ready—added to the tension. Morocco, the same side that had stymied France in the 2022 semifinal, were without their usual firepower up front, missing striker Ismail Saibari. It looked as if “The Atlas Lions” might hold out through 120 minutes until the shootout’s coin-flip determined the winner. France’s finishing had been erratic over the previous stretch—something Mbappe had highlighted after his second goal against Sweden in the round of 32, a strike that punctuated their 3-0 win.
Yet La France’s defense and discipline paid dividends, and Mbappe’s conversion from the penalty spot in the 70th minute finally broke through Paraguay’s stubborn resistance. Converting what was a tight, contested display into a 2-0 win underscored that France can produce enough offense against even high-quality opponents to push through to the later rounds. It’s a hopeful sign for the team as they head into the business end of the tournament.
Deschamps acknowledged that the team had not always found optimum efficiency, but he stressed that such moments do not sow doubt among his players. The core message remains simple: the national team’s identity, the jersey’s meaning, and the drive to represent France at the highest level are the driving forces behind this squad’s ambitions. As the tournament moves forward, France’s mix of star power, veteran leadership, and a shared sense of purpose could propel them toward another finals appearance, continuing a compelling chapter in the nation’s storied footballing saga.