A France showed once again why it is one of the big favorites for the 2026 World Cup title. Deschamps’ team beat Sweden 3-0, completely dominating the match and barely conceding. Mbappé, in another day of records, and Barcola scored the team’s goals.
Upcoming games
Classified for the round of 16, France will face Paraguay next Saturday (4), at Lincoln Financial Field, in Philadelphia, in the United States. The South Americans eliminated Germany yesterday, on penalties, and arrive ready for another decision.
The game
Sweden even scared France, but Deschamps’ team is not a favorite for nothing. In the moments when they attacked, the French were more dangerous. Barcola invaded the penalty area and knocked it out, and Mbappé scored, but it was offside.
After the hydration break, France began to dominate the match. Positioned in front of the penalty area, the French rotated the ball in search of spaces to attack the Swedish defense. And while the aerial ball was difficult, there was no shortage of infiltration attempts.
Susto em Zetterström
France rocked and had a lot of game volume in the final minutes of the first half. Zetterström made a great save after Rabiot finished well from the edge of the box.
Mbappé and Olise tried everything they could: from outside the area, low to the goalkeeper’s defense, and even hit the post – the number 11 volleyed, in what would be one of the most beautiful goals of the World Cup – but the score didn’t change. Sweden tried to respond with Isak, and the striker sent it out.
17 times Mbappé
After putting so much pressure on, France finally scored the first goal in a brilliant move by Mbappé. With a quick corner kick, Dembelé found Olise, and the number 7 passed it to Mbappé inside the area. The number 10 cleared the mark and hit the goal. Thus, the Frenchman reached 17 goals in World Cups and surpassed the German Miroslav Klose, who has 16.
Barcola expands
France’s second goal came from another beautiful pass from Olise. Barcola received the ball inside the penalty area between the defenders with plenty of space to think about finishing into the back of the net.
At a disadvantage, Sweden didn’t even show the initiative to react. France put the opposing team on the spot, and after 20 minutes they were already exchanging passes calmly in their attacking sector.
For the record
With Olise free, the result could not be different. In the 28th minute, Mbappé, again, received another pass from the number 11 on the left side, and hit the goal without leaving space for the marker to reach. Another one from the star!
. French has 18 goals in 18 World Cup matches – and counting.
The night was also special for Olise, who surpassed Bruno Guimarães (4) and reached five assists in this edition of the World Cup. The record is held by Pelé, who in 1970 distributed six.
