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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Barney Ronay at Al Bayt Stadium

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

Antoine Griezmann battles for possession with Morocco’s Selim Amallah.
Antoine Griezmann battles for possession with Morocco’s Selim Amallah. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Fifa/Getty Images

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.

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