France is hitting full steam at just the right time and is on track for glory
Related Story: Muslera's terrible error compounds Uruguay's woes as France advances
France always looked on paper like a side that could win this World Cup, but now, crucially, it is proving it has the game to match the dazzling names in its squad.
Before Russia 2018, France was earmarked as one of the favourites, based almost entirely on the incredible list of players coach Didier Deschamps was able to call up — valued at over a billion dollars in the football market — but there was always an asterisk.
Nobody was sure if they could actually gel on the pitch. Deschamps is a fine motivator but not regarded as a brilliant tactical coach, and France just did not seem to have a particular game plan or philosophy.
The performances of Les Bleus in the group stages did little to allay those doubts. They relied on their individual stars for decisive moments of brilliance, but there was nothing to indicate they were about to steamroll their way through to the latter stages of the World Cup.
External Link: Uruguay v France chalkboard
But like all great teams, they have grown into the tournament.
As the opponents have got tougher, the French have got going. They have answered all questions asked of them and are now one win from their first World Cup final since 2006.
Most impressively, Deschamps's side has shown it can adapt to different opponents, winning pretty and winning ugly.
In a game where chaos reigned, Les Bleus out-gunned Argentina's own attacking talents to win their round of 16 clash 4-3.
Argentina left huge highways open through the middle of the park but always posed a threat going forward, even if there was little method to the madness.
France responded by sending Kylian Mbappe scything through the centre on a series of effective raids that saw him net two goals and earn a penalty.
Paul Pogba, relatively quiet in the group stages, grew into his own in that game as well, displaying the combination of attacking and defensive skills very few players are capable of.
Against a tough and organised Uruguay in the quarter-finals, France was more impressive yet. This was a different game, requiring a vastly different approach, and France and Deschamps nailed it.
Uruguay was never going to give France the same space Argentina did. Mbappe was kept relatively quiet, but France found other ways.
Antoine Griezmann had his best game of the tournament in his attacking pivot role, and Pogba was once again superb as the midfield dynamo.
A brilliantly executed free kick saw Raphael Varane score the opener, and Griezmann's long-range shot and Fernando Muslera's botched save made it 2-0, but it was the way France controlled midfield and shored up the back that should strike fear into the other remaining sides.
"I think we deserved the result," Deschamps said.
"We played a beautiful Uruguay, but I thought we were better. We had more mastery, especially in the second half. I have a young team and the requirements are higher as you go.
Against Argentina we grew, it wasn't easy. That could have been a one-off but today, to perform at a high level again, I think we've shown our mettle and that's good news for us.
"We have some margin to get better. But youth is not only a weak point. There were certain sparks we managed to control."
Uruguay had been the most impressive collective unit in the tournament so far, but even considering it was without the injured Edinson Cavani, the way France nullified its opponent was evidence that, finally, Deschamps has forged a great team out of the individuals he has at his disposal.
A strong central defensive pairing, a midfield led by Pogba and N'Golo Kante that can dominate in a variety of circumstances and a Griezmann who is warming into the competition nicely; France appears to have it all.
And despite being famed for its intra-squad spats and complete implosions in prior tournaments, it's clear the comradery is strong this time around.
France won't beat itself at this World Cup, so somebody else will have to. And right now that looks a formidable task.
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