Didier Deschamps says his players carried an unshakeable conviction that they would reach the World Cup semi finals, even as Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty and France squandered a string of first half chances against Morocco on 9 July.
Yassine Bounou kept out Mbappe’s 28th minute spot kick, and Lucas Digne later crashed a long range strike against the crossbar just before the interval, yet France stayed patient rather than panicked, content to keep circulating possession until Mbappe, Michael Olise, Desire Doue or Ousmane Dembele located an opening.
Speaking after the 2-0 victory booked France’s place in the last four, where they will meet the winner of Spain’s tie with Belgium, Deschamps reflected on the composure his side showed. “We lacked efficiency and had this penalty saved in the first half, several chances, but there was never any doubt, especially not Kylian,” he said. “We have done everything right to pin them. We suffocated them and made them run. Then they were just tired.” Victory keeps alive the prospect of a third straight World Cup final appearance for France, following their triumph in 2018 and defeat on penalties four years later.
The result extends a remarkable run under Deschamps, who has now steered France to the semi finals of a World Cup or European Championship in five of his seven tournaments in charge since taking over in 2012, with only a group stage exit at the 2014 World Cup and a last four defeat at the delayed Euro 2020 breaking that sequence.
Asked what lay behind the consistency, Deschamps pointed first to the calibre of players available to him, before crediting the impact of those introduced from the bench. “Having good players is fundamental. A staff’s success comes through its players, although I must be doing a few things right as well,” he said. “Beyond today’s result, players like Warren, who had not played a minute before, came on and made a thunderous impact.” He also spoke warmly of the bond within the squad. “It is a human adventure, too. I chose them, and I live alongside them every day with great pleasure.”
With the final scheduled for 19 July in New York, Deschamps was careful to temper the mounting sense of expectation around his squad, drawing a distinction between this campaign and France’s two previous finals. “What changed compared to 2018 and 2022? In 2018, nobody expected us to succeed. In 2022, we were the defending champions and very often the defending champions are out in the last 16. This time, everybody has been expecting us to win before the first ball of the tournament,” he said. “But my players are used to this and they will not get carried away. Right now we’re not looking beyond 14 July, the day of the semi final, and it’s a good date, Bastille Day.”
