![\"Moroccan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3e1a2492ac094af169510cfc46dc8b70.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nWatching the French play football is usually a black-tie affair. Refined, elegant, comprising of the footballing world’s elite, with unmatched class.<\/p>\n
After the scrappy round of 16 victory against Paraguay, captain Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 countered that view.<\/p>\n
“We can play ugly football. They thought we would turn up in tuxedos, but we were there,” he said.<\/p>\n
Today they did not have to quite crack out the workwear, but after being resisted for a long portion of their quarter-final against Morocco, they finally pulled on the tux and made it worth the hefty price of admission.<\/p>\n
No doubting France<\/p>\n
Morocco left to rebuild once again after becoming the first African team to make two World Cup quarter-finals. (Getty Images: M. Anthony Nesmith)<\/p>\n
Morocco was supposed to provide Les Bleus with their toughest assignment of the tournament so far, in a re-match of the 2022 semi-final.<\/p>\n
Those great expectations did not materialise, as the Atlas Lions struggled without their injured leading goalscorer Ismael Saibari.<\/p>\n
The French controlled the first half without being spectacular in a more workmanlike effort, producing 13 shots on goal to one, but none too threatening.<\/p>\n
Mbapp\u00e9’s missed penalty was meek, easily saved by Yassine Bounou, one of several instances where France’s peerless captain looked slightly off kilter.<\/p>\n
More on FIFA World Cup 2026<\/p>\n
“But there was never any doubt, especially not Kylian,” France manager Didier Deschamps said.<\/p>\n
“We have done everything right to pin them. We suffocated them and made them run. Then they were just tired.”<\/p>\n
And France exploited its tiring opposition as it so often does, finally shaking off the slightly underwhelming first half, to light up the second.<\/p>\n
When Mbapp\u00e9 stepped up for the penalty, everyone whipped out their phones, hoping to record their own ropey version of what seemed like an inevitable goal.<\/p>\n
What he produced instead for his team’s opener, was so much better than anyone could have hoped to capture the first time around.<\/p>\n
His stunning curling effort was the type you love to watch on slow-mo replay time and time again, trying to understand how he can manipulate the ball with such precision.<\/p>\n
But as with most things this side does, sometimes it is better not to over analyse or pick it apart. Just sit back and enjoy the sheer majesty of it all.<\/p>\n
Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 has had an impressive World Cup so far with five goals. (Getty Images: Fantasista\/Chris Brunskill)<\/p>\n
Once he pried open Morocco’s defence, Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 continued his own hot streak at this tournament, collecting his fifth goal.<\/p>\n
Pick your pundit, they are all saying the same thing. That no-one can stop France.<\/p>\n
All the other main contenders are still there, Spain, England, Argentina. But they have each had their stumbles along the way, moments of real fragility.<\/p>\n
Les Bleus have not, but they have proven that although they usually win in style, they can also grind it out, can play the patience game, can rely on any number of superstars to deliver, and can win in any fashion.<\/p>\n
“Everybody has been expecting us (to win) before the first ball of the tournament,” Deschamps said.<\/p>\n
“But my players are used to this and they will not get carried away.”<\/p>\n
Stunning depth![\"France](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783666754_985_c27bc6c190a18d0b555a4fcb490db1c8.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
France’s attacking depth is so great that a player like Bradley Barcola (centre) is not a guaranteed starter. (Getty Images: Tom Weller)<\/p>\n
The depth in this side must make some of the other teams shake their head in disbelief.<\/p>\n
Bradley Barcola, part of France’s formidable front four, was relegated to the bench against Morocco, with D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Dou\u00e9 favoured.<\/p>\n
The French now have two players who have scored five or more goals at the same World Cup, and Mbapp\u00e9 now leads the Golden Boot standings with eight. Lionel Messi also has eight but trails the Frenchman in assists.<\/p>\n
They have rarely been troubled at the back, but goalkeeper Mike Maignan keeps his born ready energy poised, and has made some excellent saves this tournament, from the few touches he has had to make.<\/p>\n
Stay across the latest news, analysis and features from the 2026 FIFA World Cup here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Michael Olise is one of the best players of the tournament, and he has not even scored a goal.<\/p>\n They are not a one-man team, although the man who leads them is adding to his growing legacy in every game.<\/p>\n Mbapp\u00e9 left this match early with what he called a “minor ankle injury” but insisted that he is fine.<\/p>\n