France stands as the overwhelming favorite to win the World Cup, but questions remain about their beatability as they advance deeper into the tournament.
Despite facing challenges such as a two-hour storm delay in Philadelphia and the absence of coach Didier Deschamps for one match, the French team has navigated their path to the latter stages. Their performance against Sweden in the last 32, where they registered 25 attempts, showcased their offensive capabilities. Many observers believe France possesses untapped potential, suggesting they can elevate their game further.
The team's attacking prowess is evident in the combined 20 goal involvements from Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé. Notably, France has not conceded a goal in any match where they were not already leading. They have allowed only two goals across five games, occurring when they were already leading against Senegal and Norway. The defensive line, marshaled by William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano, has been a significant factor in their success.
Looking ahead, France is slated to face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals, provided they overcome Morocco. Spain, in particular, presents a formidable challenge, having not conceded a goal thus far in the tournament. However, analysts suggest that France's firepower and the depth of their bench may prove too much for Spain, echoing their previous experience of overcoming a frustrating opponent in Paraguay.