As soon as Kylian Mbappe scored France’s first goal against Sweden, he rushed to celebrate with coach Didier Deschamps.
Deschamps missed the last group game to attend his mother’s funeral, and when Mbappe and all his teammates followed him to lay down the manager, it spoke volumes.
We can and will talk ad nauseum about how stunningly good this team is, full of Galacticos and a supporting cast waiting in the wings that can also just about beat any other team.
But that’s not what will win them the World Cup if they go all the way as many expect after another ruthless victory, this time a 3-0 rout of Sweden in the round of 16.
It is this sense of unity and selflessness that is their greatest asset.
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The best thing that never happened
Mbappe surprisingly missed out on scoring in the 4-1 win over Norway, although he still made a vital contribution.
Here the natural world order was restored.
After several false starts, including shots on goal, he scored two superb goals to join Golden Boot leader Lionel Messi with six goals.
Mbappe rushed to coach Didier Deschamps to celebrate his first goal. (Getty Images/Europa Press Sports)
He is now just one behind Messi for the overall tournament record of 19. It will surely come this weekend in the round of 16.
And most importantly, he enjoys it.
“I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy the other World Cups, but I was younger. Back then I was focused on doing better,” he said.
“And today I believe I can do both: put on great performances and clearly have fun doing it.”
He has worked hard to link up with his other strikers and put in a brilliant performance, and now he and Ousmane Dembele have assisted each other on six goals. Another highlight was Bradley Barcola’s stunning goal.
This French team became the first in the history of the World Cup to score three or more goals in five matches in a row.
Bradley Barcola put in an impressive performance, highlighted by a goal. (Getty Images: Tom Weller)
And as good as those shots are, the superlatives in this game largely belong to Michael Olisa.
He was the heart of the team, pumping in crucial passes, shocking the team with his passes and giving us the best we’ve ever had.
In the first half, with Les Bleus applying incredible pressure but inexplicably missing the net, Olise unleashed a daring scissor kick that hit the post.
It was a shot that few could pull off, let alone nearly convert, and it would go down as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history.
Michael Olise with an incredible strike for France that almost went wide. (Getty Images: Mattia Ozboth)
Instead, he spent the rest of the match in the role in which he was so valuable: his five assists in this tournament totaled two more than any other player.
Goals can come from anywhere and Les Blais have torn apart all comers so far, with different players stepping up in each game.
Deschamps recognized this spirit in his players.
“There is a very strong connection when we have the ball against a deep-defensive opponent and when we lose it, everyone is ready to work hard,” he said.
“I’m pleased and proud of it. Now we have to maintain it and keep repeating it.
“We must continue to raise our standards because the opposition will only grow stronger.”
So who do you know the next team with such amazing offensive weapons will face?
None other than Paraguay’s defensive wall, a surprise round of 16 opponents after Germany’s decisive defeat.
It will take place on July 4th, Independence Day, here in the city called the birthplace of America, Philadelphia.
It is difficult to imagine this day as anything other than the French Revolution.
Quality reception
Although the celebration of this tournament by some fans was downright chaotic, Les Bleus and their fans are keeping it professional.
There is no need to shed tears or fall into each other’s arms after winning the 32nd round.
Les Bleus players and fans were pleased with the victory. (Getty Images/Europa Press Sports)
Olise and Mbappe received a deserved standing ovation as they were substituted late in the game, but there was never any danger of anyone being overcome by emotion.
At full time, the players casually strolled towards a large group of France fans in one corner of the stadium, smiled and applauded, and then returned with thunderous applause.
Unlike, for example, Norway, which put on a big show with a now world-famous scandalous scene with Vikings fans after the previous victory over Ivory Coast.
Outside the stadium, the Swedish fans were in disarray, having accepted their fate long before kick-off.
“It is what it is,” one fan shrugged and said matter-of-factly.
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The French fans kept it a secret too, happy with the victory but aware that the job was nowhere near finished.
And perhaps this is what scares us the most. It’s just another day at the office.