“They will probably beat us and win the World Cup.” Erling Haaland, the star of Norway, had few illusions before the duel between his selection and France during the group stage. The cyborg was right about the first part. The Blues gave Norway no chance, like all their opponents since the start of the World Cup.
On Tuesday, it was Sweden who suffered from the talent of Didier Deschamps’ men and who were crushed (3-0) in the round of 32. And it is certainly not Paraguay (in the round of 16), Morocco or Canada (in the quarter-finals) who will be able to stop France. Because she dazzles the entire planet and increasingly asserts herself as the favorite for the supreme title.
Even Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is usually only impressed by himself, is shocked by the power released by the Tricolores. “With Olise, Mbappé and Dembélé, they have three of the five best players in the world in their squad,” summarized the Swede on the set of Fox Sports. I have yet to see the slightest weakness in this team. It’s scary.”
Spain and Portugal are afraid
Especially since France seems to have a royal road to a potential semi-final against Portugal or Spain. Which worries the Iberian press. “The superiority of France becomes obscene”, writes Marca. “France is scary”, headlines, for its part, the Mundo Deportivo.
The Portuguese press was also left speechless by the French performance. “France’s journey seems destined to end in New York, in the same stadium where it offered a football lesson against Sweden, as it appears impossible to stop four musketeers (Olise-Mbappé-Dembélé-Barcola) with their swords always sharpened,” enthuses In Bola.
Ultimately, France’s main opponent in this 2026 World Cup is perhaps itself, if it falls into excess confidence as before its match against Switzerland at Euro 2021.
