World Cup: Whether in tuxedos or workwear, France can win in any fashion

Watching the French play football is usually a black-tie affair. Refined, elegant, comprising of the footballing world's elite, with unmatched class.

After the scrappy round of 16 victory against Paraguay, captain Kylian Mbappé countered that view.

"We can play ugly football. They thought we would turn up in tuxedos, but we were there," he said.

Today they did not have to quite crack out the workwear, but after being resisted for a long portion of their quarter-final against Morocco, they finally pulled on the tux and made it worth the hefty price of admission.

No doubting France

Morocco was supposed to provide Les Bleus with their toughest assignment of the tournament so far, in a re-match of the 2022 semi-final.

Those great expectations did not materialise, as the Atlas Lions struggled without their injured leading goalscorer Ismael Saibari.

The French controlled the first half without being spectacular in a more workmanlike effort, producing 13 shots on goal to one, but none too threatening.

Mbappé's missed penalty was meek, easily saved by Yassine Bounou, one of several instances where France's peerless captain looked slightly off kilter.

"But there was never any doubt, especially not Kylian," France manager Didier Deschamps said.

"We have done everything right to pin them. We suffocated them and made them run. Then they were just tired."

And France exploited its tiring opposition as it so often does, finally shaking off the slightly underwhelming first half, to light up the second.

When Mbappé stepped up for the penalty, everyone whipped out their phones, hoping to record their own ropey version of what seemed like an inevitable goal.

What he produced instead for his team's opener, was so much better than anyone could have hoped to capture the first time around.

His stunning curling effort was the type you love to watch on slow-mo replay time and time again, trying to understand how he can manipulate the ball with such precision.

But as with most things this side does, sometimes it is better not to over analyse or pick it apart. Just sit back and enjoy the sheer majesty of it all.

Once he pried open Morocco's defence, Ousmane Dembélé continued his own hot streak at this tournament, collecting his fifth goal.

Pick your pundit, they are all saying the same thing. That no-one can stop France.

All the other main contenders are still there, Spain, England, Argentina. But they have each had their stumbles along the way, moments of real fragility.

Les Bleus have not, but they have proven that although they usually win in style, they can also grind it out, can play the patience game, can rely on any number of superstars to deliver, and can win in any fashion.

"Everybody has been expecting us (to win) before the first ball of the tournament," Deschamps said.

"But my players are used to this and they will not get carried away."

Stunning depth

The depth in this side must make some of the other teams shake their head in disbelief.

Bradley Barcola, part of France's formidable front four, was relegated to the bench against Morocco, with Désiré Doué favoured.

The French now have two players who have scored five or more goals at the same World Cup, and Mbappé now leads the Golden Boot standings with eight. Lionel Messi also has eight but trails the Frenchman in assists.

They have rarely been troubled at the back, but goalkeeper Mike Maignan keeps his born ready energy poised, and has made some excellent saves this tournament, from the few touches he has had to make.

Michael Olise is one of the best players of the tournament, and he has not even scored a goal.

They are not a one-man team, although the man who leads them is adding to his growing legacy in every game.

Mbappé left this match early with what he called a "minor ankle injury" but insisted that he is fine.

They now prepare for Spain or Belgium in a final four showdown in Dallas on France's national holiday, Bastille Day.

The Moroccans have now suffered knockout defeats to France for the past two tournaments.

For a side that has broken the glass ceiling for African football, they know just making it this far is no longer good enough.

"Of course we need to take stock of the situation if we want to progress; it's essential," Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi said.

"We cannot just say that we're happy and proud of what we've done. We need to move forward, and in order to do so, we have to be objective and to do some self-criticism."

As much as this tournament has delighted with thrilling drama, all the big names are still standing.

And the biggest of them all is ready for its main course.

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