France Dominates World Cup Semifinals, While Penalty Woes Continue

France has firmly established itself as the team to beat in the ongoing World Cup, securing a convincing 2-0 victory over Morocco to become the first semi-finalist. Their dominant performance has led to widespread questions about whether any other nation can stop their seemingly inevitable march towards the trophy.

Meanwhile, a peculiar trend of missed “stutter” penalties continues to plague other top teams, with Kylian Mbappe becoming the latest high-profile player to falter from the spot using this technique.

France’s Unstoppable March

Didier Deschamps’s squad has lived up to its pre-tournament favourite status, delivering consistently strong performances. Following an opening win against Senegal, France has navigated through the knockout stages with an air of invincibility. Their 2-0 triumph over Morocco, considered one of Africa’s strongest teams, further solidified their credentials as champions-elect.

Unlike previous favourites who have faltered under pressure, France appears to be embracing their role. The last team to win the World Cup as outright favourites was Spain in 2010, but even then, questions lingered about their historical World Cup pedigree. France, the 2018 champions, with manager Didier Deschamps at the helm for eight years, show no such doubts.

Key facts
| Team | Stage | Score | Opponent |
|—|—|—|—|
| France | Quarter-Finals | 2-0 | Morocco |
| France | Semi-Finals | – | TBD |

The attacking prowess of France is a significant factor in their dominance. While Kylian Mbappe is a constant threat, the team boasts an array of offensive talent. Ousmane Dembele, the current Ballon d’Or winner, has also been prolific, with France being the first team since Brazil in 2002 to have two players reach five goals. Younger talents like Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola provide further depth, while Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise offer creativity and playmaking abilities. Olise, in particular, has been instrumental with his passing range, unlocking defences and adding a new dimension to France’s attack.

Stutter Penalties: A Recurring Problem

Despite their on-field success, France experienced a minor setback when Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty against Morocco. His stutter run-up, designed to deceive goalkeepers, proved ineffective against the impressive Yassine Bounou, who has a strong record in penalty shootouts. Bounou’s ability to wait for the penalty taker to commit before making his move has led to him being dubbed the “stutter penalty whisperer.”

Mbappe is not alone in his struggles with this penalty technique. Lionel Messi and Harry Kane have also missed stutter penalties in the tournament. While Kane was given a retake, the trend highlights a potential vulnerability in the strategy, especially against goalkeepers who can maintain their composure.

Spain and Belgium Eyeing Semifinal Spot

As France awaits its semi-final opponent, the remaining quarter-final matches are set to determine who will face them. Spain and Belgium are preparing for their tie, with Spain’s strong defensive record being a notable point. However, questions remain about their attacking fluidity, particularly with Lamine Yamal not consistently finding his best form. Argentina, despite Lionel Messi’s brilliance, has shown defensive frailties, raising doubts about their ability to go all the way, especially if they were to face France.

The Christian Pulisic Situation

In other World Cup news, the USMNT campaign ended with the Christian Pulisic saga. Following their exit at the round of 16, Pulisic expressed frustration over his injury but also relief at the prospect of rest after a long club and international season. The narrative surrounding his injury has somewhat overshadowed larger discussions about the team’s performance and their inability to advance further, despite home advantage and managerial support.

Source: The Athletic Football, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7435322/2026/07/10/france-world-cup-penalties-stutter/

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