Raphael Varane is said to have given a vital team talk during the interval of France's last 16 clash with Poland.
Leading by just one goal at the time, the Manchester United defender rallied his Les Blues teammates, insisting he himself was not happy with the standards shown during the first 45 minutes. Didier Deschamps' side eventually ran out 3-1 winners and will now meet England in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Having a player of Varane's calibre is vital to any side, with United's defence having improved tenfold following the crucial partnership formed by both the former Real Madrid man and Lisandro Martinez this season.
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According to reports made by French publication L'Equipe, United's number 19 is said to have delivered a vital rallying call that helped push his side towards victory, making his 90th appearance for the national team in the process.
''We are in the round of 16 of the World Cup, we are living a dream, but everything can end at any time if we continue like this,'' Varane said at the interval. ''We need to show something else on the field.''
The 29-year-old will come up against his Manchester United teammates Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford in the quarter-finals, in a bid to help France further cement their hopes of retaining their World Cup crown in the Middle East.
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