The last time France won all three of their group matches, they ended up World Cup champions (1998). Top spot in Group I is secured, a Round of 32 showdown with Sweden beckons in New Jersey and boss Didier Deschamps is poised to rejoin the squad following the passing of his mother.
Things certainly look promising for Les Bleus and if hat-trick hero Ousmane Dembele can replicate the sparkling form he displayed against Norway, France are in great stead.
Still, in his view, it was his worst overall display of the tournament. Dembele said after hitting the second-fastest treble in World Cup history: “I’m happy, it’s a unique and important moment for me.
“My performance was good, but I preferred my matches against Senegal or Iraq; I think I was much more influential. I now need to stay focused because important things are coming.”
That kind of mentality – a desire to strive for perfection – is precisely what’s required if France are to add a third gold star to their crest.
In French national team circles, there is a long-running joke about rule No.1 – never write off Ballon d’Or winner Dembele because he is inevitable.
Whenever he is scrutinised or question marks emerge over his place in the side, he possesses the firepower to make his critics look utterly daft.
Aurelien Tchouameni does not take his team-mate for granted and believes the back-to-back Champions League winner deserves more respect.
He explained: “Dembele? You’re the ones with doubts, not us! We know who he is, what he’s capable of.
“He’s always laughing; he’s one of the most cheerful guys in the locker room. When he scores three goals, everyone is happy for him and now we’re staying focused for what’s to come.”
View 2 ImagesOusmane Dembele celebrates his hat-trick for France against Norway(Image: FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
It’s not just France’s star-studded attack – Kylian Mbappe is on four goals while Desire Doue got himself on the scoresheet in Boston – that’s clicking.
There is also an admirable depth to their backline, which is stacked with reliable talent.
Chelsea target Maxence Lacroix was strong on his World Cup bow and appears ready to provide Deschamps with adequate cover for Arsenal’s William Saliba, who is battling back pain.
Lacroix said: “The job has been done. It’s also a victory for the coach, we had him in our hearts of course and we were thinking of him.
“It’s important for us to give everything too, because he wasn’t with us, even if he was present in our hearts, so that we could give him that.”
Saliba skipped training on Thursday but is expected to return against the Swedes when he’ll be tasked with nullifying Gunners team-mate Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool striker Alexander Isak.
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