France’s hat-trick of World Cup semi-finals, measured against Brazil and Germany’s eras | OneFootball

France reached the World Cup semi-finals for a third straight edition by beating Morocco 2-0 on Thursday. Champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, they now belong to a rare group.

As reported by L'ÉEquipe, the question is how this streak ranks. Before Didier Deschamps’ side, only Brazil did it twice, 1970-1974-1978 and 1994-1998-2002, and Germany/FRG three times, 1966-1970-1974, 1982-1986-1990 and 2002-2006-2010-2014.

Germany/FRG’s 1980s run brought three straight finals and the 1990 title over Argentina. From 2002 to 2014 they reached four successive semi-finals and won in Brazil under Joachim Löw, dominance built without a tactical overhaul.

France’s evolution mirrors Brazil’s 1994-2002 arc. The 1994 Seleção were cautious, with three ball-winners behind Bebeto and Romario, akin to France 2018 with Blaise Matuidi wide and a block supplying Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé, then they lost 3-0 to France in 1998 and won in 2002 powered by Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, who scored eight, five and two.

France fell to Argentina in the 2022 final, 3-3 after extra time and 2-4 on penalties, yet 2026 is driven by a front three, Mbappé eight goals and three assists, Ousmane Dembélé five and two, Michael Olise five assists. If they win on Sunday, they will sit alongside that Brazil in dominance and attacking shift. The difference is continuity, Deschamps has overseen, unlike Brazil’s Carlos Alberto Parreira, Mario Zagallo and Luiz Felipe Scolari, and France retain more 2018 champions, Mbappé, Dembélé, L.Hernandez and Kanté, than Brazil 2002 did from 1994, Cafu and Ronaldo.

Source: L'Équipe