France

Antoine Griezmann’s devilment gives France the edge when it matters | Barney Ronay

14-Dec-2022 22:29:30 | The Guardian

The beating heart of Les Bleus is playing his role in midfield in a way that no one else does, always on the half-turn

That blue wave just keeps on breaking. For the second time in five days at Al Bayt Stadium, France won a high‑stakes World Cup knockout game without at any stage being behind; without at any stage playing that well; and also without looking like they were ever seriously going to lose.

Morocco were exceptionally good, pushing France back, but somehow always finding ways to not convert their slick, probing possession into goals. How to win: a study in Deschampian minimalism. Maybe someone should write a proper thesis on this.