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Throughout much of this summer's World Cup, France and its formidable attacking unit appeared destined to claim the trophy.
Right up until Spain's resolute defense neutralized Didier Deschamps's array of offensive weapons, Les Bleus were the overwhelming favorites to secure a third world championship. While the semifinal exit is painful, it does little to diminish the breathtaking displays from Kylian Mbappé and company on their run to the last four.
France had netted 16 goals across six matches before being shut out by Spain, with every single one of those strikes coming exclusively from its forward players.
Mbappé was joined on the scoresheet by Paris Saint-Germain teammates Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué, while Michael Olise, despite failing to score himself, was the creative force supplying the entire quartet.
But which of France's attacking talents shone the brightest throughout the summer?
5. Désiré Doué
Matches: 7
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
Following Hugo Ekitiké's serious injury late in the previous season, Doué was aware that clubmate Barcola was his only real rival for France's left wing position. The 21-year-old initially won the battle, earning a starting berth against Senegal in the opening group stage fixture, but soon found himself rotating in and out of Deschamps's lineup.
A largely forgettable showing in the Senegal match didn't help his standing, particularly as Barcola came off the bench to make an impression, and he was dropped to the substitutes' bench for the heavy defeat of Iraq. Doué did, however, get off the mark during the rout of a rotated Norway side, heading home his maiden World Cup goal in the closing moments.
That goal did little to sway Deschamps, though, and Doué started just one of France's three knockout fixtures. Having earned the decisive penalty against Paraguay, he was thrown into the starting XI against Morocco and delivered a solid all-round display, including an assist for Dembélé.
Doué was excellent whenever called upon this summer, but Deschamps's tendency to rotate the youngster frequently hampered his overall development.
4. Bradley Barcola
Matches: 7
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
Barcola finds himself in a comparable situation to Doué. The PSG winger frequently dazzled when given opportunities at the tournament, particularly in the earlier rounds, but struggled to maintain a consistently elite level due to his irregular playing time.
Things couldn't have gotten off to a better start for Barcola, who produced a delicate chip just two minutes after entering the pitch against Senegal before starting the victory over Iraq. Despite being left on the bench against Norway, he still contributed an assist for Doué and then found the net against Sweden with a composed finish.
That proved to be the end of Barcola's goal contributions as France faced increasingly stern tests in the knockout rounds, yet he remained a key component with his direct running in behind defenses and his ability to glide past opposing players.
Amid considerable transfer interest from top Premier League clubs, Barcola has only added to his already impressive reputation.
3. Ousmane Dembélé
Matches: 7
Goals: 5
Assists: 2
The Ballon d'Or holder, two-time European champion and member of France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad had never managed to score during previous major tournaments. There were concerns that Dembélé, despite his outstanding club performances, would once again underperform on the international stage, particularly after drawing a blank against Senegal.
However, this incarnation of Dembélé is a different beast and would soon put any skeptics to rest. A goal and assist against Iraq was followed by a commanding hat trick in the final group stage match against Norway, during which the PSG star scored three times despite registering an expected goals tally of just 0.29. This was Dembélé at his most clinical.
The momentum continued as an assist against Sweden was complemented by another composed finish in the quarterfinal triumph over Morocco. Dembélé was proving near-impossible to contain, both in front of goal and when weaving past defenders deep in opposition territory.
Spain managed to contain the 29-year-old, whose two-footedness and trickery had bamboozled opponents before La Roja, but Dembélé still produced a superb overall tournament.
2. Michael Olise
Matches: 7
Goals: 0
Assists: 5
Bayern Munich have reaped the rewards of Olise's creative brilliance over the past two seasons, with 46 assists recorded across all competitions. It came as little surprise, therefore, to see the attacking midfielder's artistry carry over to the international stage.
Olise is still waiting for his first World Cup goal, but his contributions to Les Bleus were invaluable this summer. The 24-year-old Ballon d'Or contender crafted five assists for his teammates, demonstrating his extraordinary vision and range of passing at every turn.
A beautifully weighted through ball for Mbappé set up France's opening goal of the tournament, while another incisive pass through the opposition backline teed up Dembélé in the following match. The Sweden fixture offered the clearest glimpse of his genius as he set up both Barcola and Mbappé with passes that few others would even spot, let alone deliver.
Following a remarkable, treble-winning campaign with Bayern, this tournament served as yet another reminder of why Olise now stands among the finest players on the planet.
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1. Kylian Mbappé
Matches: 7
Goals: 8
Assists: 3
Mbappé consistently reserves his most devastating performances for the World Cup stage. Having lifted the trophy in 2018 and claimed the Golden Boot in 2022, opposing defenses have long since learned to dread the Real Madrid forward whenever he pulls on France's iconic blue shirt.
This summer provided yet another stage for Mbappé to showcase his talents, beginning with a brace against Senegal. A composed finish was followed by a stunning effort as the 27-year-old unleashed a ferocious long-range strike in the final moments. Iraq was his next target, with Mbappé delivering another impressive double.
Two further spectacular goals arrived when France met Sweden in the round of 32, with the Scandinavians utterly powerless to stop Mbappé's brilliance. He then converted a decisive spot kick against Paraguay, all while enduring relentless physical punishment from the combative South Americans.
A stunning strike against Morocco served as a fitting final goal for the Madrid superstar, who has now scored eight goals at each of the last two World Cups. Only Lionel Messi (21) has scored more tournament goals than Mbappé's tally of 20.