The nation that departed the last World Cup amid calamity is quietly making its case as one of the prime contenders at this one.
France, who left South Africa in chaos, shame and recriminations after the squad mutinied against the manager, progressed to the quarter-finals yesterday against a spirited Nigeria team.
And while never sparkling, they were unfussily efficient, benefiting greatly from the 62nd-minute replacement of Olivier Giroud with Antoine Griezmann, which changed the attacking dynamic of the match.