'If France were playing in the back garden I'd close the curtains'

"If they were playing in the back garden, I'd close the curtains."

That's hardly a glowing endorsement for a team that has just secured a spot in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton didn't mince words as he watched France narrowly edge past Portugal in a penalty shootout. The French team's performance did little to quiet their critics, who have grown increasingly vocal throughout the tournament. France has yet to score a goal from open play, relying on luck and defensive resilience to progress.

Star striker Kylian Mbappe has struggled to find his form, compounded by a broken nose suffered earlier in the competition. Despite these challenges, manager Didier Deschamps remains defiantly optimistic. "We are now in the semi-finals and you could see the emotions we had with the fans," he remarked post-match. "It is pride for my players even though not everything has been done perfectly. We just keep going. I'd like to seize this moment and make the most out of it."

Criticism has mounted against France's lackluster attacking display, with Vice-captain Antoine Griezmann being substituted early and Mbappe failing to make a significant impact. Ousmane Dembele provided a brief spark off the bench, salvaging some positivity amidst an otherwise underwhelming team effort.

Former striker Sutton described France's performance as "bang average" and questioned their effectiveness in crucial moments. "Didier Deschamps stumbles through again," Sutton remarked. "Despite their array of talent, France has failed to impress. Mbappe and Griezmann were particularly ineffective, lacking the usual synergy in the attacking third."

Once touted as tournament favorites and ranked highest among European teams, France's journey to the semi-finals has been marked by resilience rather than flair. Former England defender Rio Ferdinand echoed concerns about France's playing style but acknowledged their determination. "The resilience and grit they showed to get to this point... There were some wonderful penalties taken in the shootout," Ferdinand observed.

As they prepare to face Spain in the next round, France will need a marked improvement to silence their critics and prove their worth as potential champions.