Didier Deschamps won’t care. All that matters, the French coach would strenuously argue, is that they got there. That could be said about France’s winning goal and the very 1-0 last-16 win over Belgium it decided.
After 85 minutes of what had perhaps been the worst football in this tournament – outside, maybe, some of England’s games – substitute Randal Kolo Muani tried a speculative shot that was mishit off the ground and deflected off the unfortunate Jan Vertonghen and in.
The game maybe deserved that, but it’s arguable whether France did. An otherwise sensationally talented squad made their way into the quarter-finals by dour obduracy rather than any creativity or class. It may yet take them to ultimate victory, of course, but it doesn’t make much of it memorable. The most stirring moment of the game was a tackle by Theo Hernandez on Yannick Carrasco.
The best you could say was the goal was at least preceded by a clever angled pass from Antoine Griezmann. That’s it.
That’s all France had in their team by way of playmaking. Kylian Mbappe was crowded out, everyone still waiting for his moment.
It felt like everyone was going to wait for a goal here. Instead, France got their third of the tournament, but not one has been a clean effort into the net from open play.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Biden In Post-Debate Health Check To Placate Democrats
Joe Biden was said to have undergone a medical check-up after last week’s debate as he revealed the prognosis to a group of 20 governors, sources Say.
Misfiring Rivals In Search Of The Quality Of Compromise
Didier Deschamps needs a lone trophy to finish a unique grand slam. He has won the World Cup and the European Championships as a player, the World Cup as a manager.
PM Must 'Honour Pledge Of Safe Route For Afghan Allies'
Coalition of lawyers and refugee workers write to new leader
Starmer's Biggest Issues As He Takes The Keys To No 10
The incoming PM’s in-tray will be more daunting than usual due to a rotten economic inheritance, writes Andrew Grice
CIRCUIT TRAINING
A Formula E driver’s fitness regime is not for the unhealthy, faint-hearted or hungover, as Olivia Petter discovered when she spent a day working out with McLaren racer Sam Bird
Anti-tourism protests won't keep me away from Mallorca
Like the holidaymaker laying down his beach towel at the crack of dawn, protests against overtourism in Mallorca have started even before the summer season has got going.
Backrow bravado may help England conquer All Blacks
It is a little over 60 years now since England embarked on their first Antipodean adventure, a squad led by Mike Weston following previous French, Scottish and Irish tours to make a belated arrival in the Southern Hemisphere in 1963.
Germany could regret late goal as they brace for Spain
It is something that Julian Nagelsmann doesn’t even want to be mentioned around the German camp, but it’s now impossible not to consider.
Dart's tie-break tears leave Boulter down and wiped out
It is the deciding tie-break, and Harriet Dart is losing 6-2 and on the edge of defeat when she walks to the back of Wimbledon’s No 1 Court and begins to cry.
Centre Court rises to start of Murray's long goodbye
The result quickly faded from memory, as a standing ovation for the losing team signalled the start of a long farewell.
