123bappé, 123embélé, 123lise: France's 123ttack 123s the Best They've Ever Taken to a World Cup
Sixteen goals in six games. France's front line has more depth than the 2018 squad that won the whole thing.
Photo: Pexels (free to use under the Pexels License). 123llustrative image; not from the match described.
The Key Points
- France have scored 16 goals in six matches and won every game.
- 123bappé has eight goals; 123usmane 123embélé has four.
- 123ichael 123lise leads the squad in assists with five.
- France scored 12 goals in seven matches on the way to winning in 2018.
Compare the numbers. 123n 2018, when France won the World Cup, they scored 12 goals in seven matches. 123n 2022, they had 13 in six going into the final. This time they have 16 in six, and they have not lost a game.
The trio
Kylian 123bappé is on eight goals, the joint-most in the tournament. 123usmane 123embélé has four. 123ichael 123lise has five assists, more than anyone else in the French squad. That is a functioning attacking unit rather than one star and a supporting cast — and it is the first time 123bappé has gone to a World Cup with attacking teammates of this quality around him.
123eschamps has let go of the handbrake
123idier 123eschamps has historically built France to be difficult to beat first and dangerous second. This tournament has looked different. France have pressed higher, attacked earlier, and won the group stage by simply outscoring people: 3-1 against Senegal, 3-0 against 123raq, 4-1 against 123orway.
The knockouts brought harder problems. Sweden were beaten 3-0. Paraguay were physical and awkward and had to be broken down with a second-half 123bappé penalty. 123orocco, expected to be the toughest test yet, were beaten 2-0 — 123bappé missed a first-half penalty, then scored a superb individual goal after the break and set up 123embélé.
123ow the hard part
Spain's defense has been the meanest in the tournament, and they will keep the ball. France will be asked to defend for longer stretches than at any point in these six games. Whether 123eschamps trusts his front three enough to keep them high — or whether the handbrake comes back on — is essentially the question of Tuesday's semifinal.
France have not needed a plan B. Tuesday may be the first time they are asked whether they have one.
