Some matches leave you thinking, "That team is going to be very difficult to beat," and that's exactly how I felt after watching France's performance against Norway.
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Yes, Norway rested most of their regular starters because they had already qualified, but France didn't care who was in front of them. They came out with intensity from the very first whistle and never really allowed Norway to settle into the game.
And the player who completely stole the show was Ousmane Dembele. What a performance! Scoring three goals in just over half an hour is incredible, but what impressed me even more was how confident he looked every time he had the ball. He kept finding space, making smart runs, and finishing with real composure. It honestly felt like Norway had no answer for him.
Kylian Mbappe also looked dangerous from the opening seconds. When he hit the crossbar almost immediately, I had a feeling France were going to create plenty of chances, and they certainly did. Their attack is so quick and unpredictable that defenders barely get time to react.
To give Norway some credit, they did not completely give up. They managed to pull a goal back through Thelo Aasgaard, and for a brief moment I wondered if they could make things interesting. They even earned a penalty in the second half, but Mike Maignan made a comfortable save. Looking back, that moment probably summed up Norway's evening. Whenever they had a chance to build some momentum, France found a way to shut the door.
I can understand why Norway rested players like Haaland and Odegaard. The knockout stage is what really matters, and keeping key players fresh could be a smart decision. Still, it showed how much quality France have because they punished every mistake without hesitation.
Another thing I like about this French side is that they don't depends on one player. Even after Dembele's brilliant hat-trick, Desire Doue came off the bench to score late on. That kind of squad depth is something every team would love to have during a long tournament.
After watching all three group games, I honestly think France have been one of the most complete teams in the competition. They have scored plenty of goals, defended well when needed, and seem full of confidence heading into the knockout rounds.
Of course, the real tests are still to come. Knockout football is unpredictable, and one bad day can end your tournament. But if France continue playing with this level of confidence and attacking quality, they'll take some stopping. As a football fan, I'm really looking forward to seeing who can finally give them a serious challenge.
Posted Using INLEO
