France defeats Sweden in World Cup round of 32 match
France secured a comprehensive victory over Sweden in the World Cup round of 32, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice. The match, held in New Jersey, saw France advance to the last 16, where they are set to face Paraguay. Sweden‘s campaign in the tournament concluded with this 3-0 defeat.
The encounter showcased France‘s attacking prowess, particularly in the second half. Michael Olise delivered a standout performance, contributing two assists. His play was instrumental in breaking down a resilient Sweden defence.
First-half deadlock broken
The first half presented an interesting contest, with Sweden demonstrating a clear game plan and effective counter-attacking options. Players like Anthony Elanga and Viktor Gyökeres aimed to link up with Alexander Isak, the Liverpool striker. Isak had two shots on goal within the opening 25 minutes, but strong defending from Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba ensured neither effort troubled Mike Maignan.
Sweden‘s defence was compact and brave, making it challenging for France to find an early breakthrough. Despite numerous deft approaches, Mbappé initially resorted to long-range efforts, indicating some frustration. The turning point arrived around the half-hour mark, following a forceful drive from Adrian Rabiot that Jacob Widell Zetterström managed to turn around the post.
Following this, France created a succession of opportunities. Mbappé had a shot go over and another hit the post from close range. In the 35th minute, Olise attempted a scissor kick, which also struck Zetterström’s right post, with Ousmane Dembelé‘s follow-up going over the bar. Olise then had another shot from distance saved by Zetterström, leading to a corner.
The breakthrough came from this corner. Dembelé played it short to Olise, who returned the pass. Dembelé then quickly passed to Mbappé inside the box. Despite a difficult angle and several defenders, Mbappé managed to bend a shot past Zetterström, putting France ahead just before half-time.
Second-half dominance
France extended their lead eight minutes into the second half. The move began after Sweden lost possession following some good defensive work. Aurélien Tchouaméni seized the ball and passed it to Olise, who delivered a perfectly weighted pass between a Swedish centre-half and full-back. This allowed Bradley Barcola to stride into the box and score, smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Olise continued to be a central figure in France‘s attacking play throughout the second half. He moved across the forward line, dropped deep, and made runs beyond defenders, consistently seeking the ball to create danger. On the hour mark, he had another attempt from outside the box, forcing a sprawling save from Zetterström. His mesmerising passing triangle with Rabiot and Koundé on the halfway line also stood out, showcasing intricate footwork and precise ball control.
With 15 minutes remaining, Olise provided his second assist of the match, leading to Mbappé‘s second goal. This goal was a result of another deft pass from Olise and a perfectly timed run from Mbappé, who curled the ball into the far side of the goal. This confirmed France‘s dominant display and secured their progression in the tournament.
Alexander Isak, who started for Sweden, played 89 minutes of the match in New Jersey.
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Source: theguardian.com
Reuben Castle is the Sports News Writer at News GB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from print into digital sport news. He holds a degree in Journalism from Coventry University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Coventry, he follows the Open Championship and amateur boxing. “Accuracy first; the analysis can follow.”
