Following a positive start to the game for Sweden before the first hydration break, France looked rejuvenated after a talking-to from Deschamps, which saw them quickly command possession and take the game away from Sweden. A brace from Mbappé and a smart finish from Barcola saw Les Bleus cruise into the next round of the competition with a 3-0 victory.
For much of the first half, France found themselves limited to possession in front of the Swedish defence and shots from distance. The Swedes backed themselves to deal with French pressure and any deliveries into the area with their physicality and height. Bradley Barcola found his way into the area with a direct dribble, but aside from this, Sweden were able to keep Les Bleus’ fantastic four quiet.
The Swedish defence were given a scare with Mbappé’s offside goal, but one would argue playing offside is good defending. Nevertheless, after the hydration break, Les Bleus’ pressure started to build, and the Swedes began to buckle. Mbappé and Olise found the post, and Rabiot forced Zetterström into a good save. Eventually, the French resistance paid off at the end of the first-half as Mbappé dropped his shoulder and found the bottom corner after some great footwork.
Big players perform on the biggest stages, and Mbappé has shown he belongs in that conversation after breaking another FIFA World Cup record with the opening goal against Sweden. The French captain has set a new record for the most goals scored in the knockout stages of the competition. He was tied on 8 knockout goals with Ronaldo and Leônidas. The 27-year-old is now out in the lead on his own with 10 goals in the knockout stages of the competition after a superb race.
With another record secured, the Real Madrid forward will be hunting his next record, which could be achieved during the current World Cup. Mbappé is currently one goal behind his former PSG teammate Lionel Messi as the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer. As the golden boot race hots up, he will no doubt be eyeing up another accolade as he currently leads the race with 6 strikes (tied with Messi).
Whilst Olise has gained a reputation for being a man of few words off the pitch, that doesn’t stop him from expressing himself on it. Creating goals is nothing new for the Bayern Munich attacking midfielder. Whether it be for club or country, the Frenchman has found a knack for delivering the perfect final ball. This trend has continued for his country this time around as he has assumed the role of France’s chief creator after a tactical switch from Didier Deschamps at half-time during Les Bleus’ opening match, which saw the former Crystal Palace man move into a central position.
Since moving into the number 10 position, Olise hasn’t looked back and has thrived with the extra space afforded to him in the middle of the pitch. He showed excellent vision with precise passes to set up Barcola and Mbappé to take France from out of Sweden’s reach in the second half. The Frenchman takes his season tally of assists to 32 for club and country, and he now sits at the top of the creative standings at the FIFA World Cup with 5 assists to his name.
