France secured a 3-0 victory over Sweden in a World Cup knockout round match in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kylian Mbappé scored twice, with Bradley Barcola adding another goal for France. This win sets up a round of 16 match against Paraguay for France.
Mbappé opened the scoring in the 45th minute with a crossover step. He then added a second-half goal, marking his third two-goal game in four matches. His performance in this match brought his total to six goals in the tournament, tying him with Argentina forward Lionel Messi for the lead.
Barcola scored France’s second goal in the 53rd minute, with Mbappé completing the scoring in the 74th minute. Mbappé’s goals in knockout rounds now surpass the previous record held by Brazilian players Leonidas and Ronaldo.
France’s Dominant Performance
France, a finalist in the previous World Cup and considered a favorite in this tournament, has demonstrated strong offensive capabilities, outscoring opponents 13-2. Michael Olise contributed significantly to the team’s attack, assisting on five goals.
The match was played in challenging conditions, with high temperatures and humidity. Despite the heat, France outshot Sweden 25-7, with 15 of those shots coming in the first half. Mbappé nearly scored earlier in the match, hitting a post in the 32nd minute. Olise also had a spectacular bicycle kick that hit a post.
Sweden’s captain, Victor Lindelöf, acknowledged France’s ability to control the game, stating they are skilled at changing pace and possessing the ball. He also noted that Sweden lost to one of the best teams in the world.
The first goal came after Sweden’s goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström tipped Olise’s shot. Olise then played a short corner to Ousmane Dembélé, who passed to Mbappé. Mbappé maneuvered around Viktor Gyökeres and sent a diagonal shot into the far post.
The second goal for France originated from a turnover by Gustaf Lagerbielke. Aurélien Tchouaméni passed to Olise, who then delivered a pass to Barcola, who scored. Mbappé’s final goal was set up by a backheel pass to Barcola, who then passed to Olise, leading to Mbappé’s shot inside the far post.
Looking Ahead for Les Bleus
France’s coach, Didier Deschamps, expressed his commitment to the team’s mission. He had returned for the match after attending his mother’s funeral, and Mbappé mentioned the team’s support for him.
The victory was witnessed by a crowd of 80,663, contributing to a record total for the expanded 104-match tournament. Many fans were seen wearing France’s blue colors.
France is aiming to reach its third consecutive World Cup final. Their next match is scheduled for July 4 in Philadelphia against Paraguay. The winner of that game will advance to a quarterfinal match five days later in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where they will face either Canada or Morocco.
Mbappé, reflecting on the win, stated, “I’m very aware of who I am, how I play, what I shall do, but it’s not just about me. The entire team is aware of what should be done. It is a new competition that has started today. We did play well, but we were timid. We could have done better at the beginning.”
The match was the first World Cup encounter between France and Sweden.
Mbappé’s focus immediately after the match was on recovery, stating, “I’m looking forward to the changing room and the AC.”
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Source: apnews.com
