Dembélé Stars But France's Mental Fragility Clouds Group Top Spot

France continue to win but questions are growing about whether their comfortable group-stage dominance is actually doing them any favours, according to The Guardian. Ousmane Dembélé has been singled out as a decisive attacking presence, yet the analysis points to a familiar psychological trap for Didier Deschamps' side: they can look vulnerable the moment the game stops being easy.

The Guardian draws a direct comparison with France's shock knockout exit to Switzerland at Euro 2020, arguing that a team which coasts through the group phase can struggle to flip the intensity switch when the knockout rounds demand it. The defence, in particular, still has the jury firmly out.

Norway, who also top Group I alongside France with six points after Erling Haaland's side beat Senegal, will provide a genuinely stern test on Friday in Boston. According to The Guardian, that match should offer a far clearer picture of whether France's perceived weaknesses are real or simply a product of facing limited opposition.