France’s quest for FIFA World Cup glory continued in emphatic fashion at MetLife Stadium, as a masterclass from captain Kylian Mbappé secured a 3-0 victory against Sweden.
At the heart of it all was French captain and talisman Mbappe. He had a long range shot saved in the 16th minute and had the ball in the net four minutes later. The effort was ruled out for offside, but Sweden had been warned.
Mbappe rattled the post just after the half-hour as he inched ever closer and finally broke the deadlock in the 45th minute. After receiving a pass by Ousmane Dembele, Mbappe slammed a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
France came out for the second half in the same fashion. Sharp, precise and dangerous.
After squandering a handful of gilt-edged chances by the finest of margins, France extended its lead in the 53rd minute when Bradley Barcola lofted the ball past the Swedish goalkeeper to double their lead.
Playmaker Michael Olise was the standout supporting act, delivering a brilliant assist for Mbappé’s second goal in the 74th minute.
Olise’s precise pass cut through Sweden’s defence and Mbappe delivered a curling effort to beat the goalkeeper, a strike reminiscent of the legendary Thierry Henry.
Mbappe’s two goals lifted his World Cup finals tally to 18, one behind Lionel Messi on the all-time list. Remarkably, those goals have come in just 18 matches, with his double here taking him to six for the tournament.
Sweden, managed by Graham Potter, struggled to cope with the relentless French pressure throughout and exit the tournament as they were beaten by a brilliant French side. The win secures Les Bleus’ place in the Round of 16, where they are set to face Paraguay.
Latest World Cup results
France 3-0 Sweden
Mexico 2-0 Ecuador.
