Another France game, more Kylian Mbappe goals.
Les Bleus continued its goal-scoring tour at the World Cup by eliminating Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32 on Tuesday.
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France entered the game as heavy favorites thanks to its dominant attack, while Sweden has conceded too many goals despite having solid forwards of its own.
But Mbappe, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, among others, are too lethal of a group to contain.
Sweden did its best for most of the first half, as 6-foot-6 goalie Jacob Zetterstrom kept his nation in it with several key saves. Some shots were lucky to bounce off the post and into less dangerous areas.
Mbappe eventually had his say in the 45th minute. After a short-corner routine stemming from multiple near chances, the 27-year-old Mbappe curled one in from close range that Zetterstrom couldn’t get his hands on.
The goal arrived at the perfect time for France. Sweden had to hold defensively as long as it could — bend, don’t break. But since it came on the cusp of halftime, the momentum switch proved crucial.
France added its second within the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
Olise’s drive down the middle of the pitch forced Sweden to step up and close him down. Barcola opened up a passing lane, which Olise found by slipping him through. Barcola turned and drilled it home.
The game slowed down until the hydration break, as Sweden seemed content with passing it around slowly to prevent more French transitions.
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But soon after play resumed, Mbappe slipped in Olise on a 1v1 opportunity. Somehow, though, the Bayern Munich star couldn’t finish.
Mbappe wouldn’t be done there, however. He made it three braces at this tournament with another curling effort in the 74th minute, with Olise once again playing his teammate through on goal. Mbappe is now tied with Lionel Messi with six goals this summer.
France now moves onto the Round of 16 where a matchup against Paraguay awaits. The Guaranies upset Germany 1-1 (4-3 penalties) on Monday to earn their spot, while the European powerhouses were dealt another difficult blow since winning the 2014 World Cup.
Les Bleus, along with Messi and Argentina, have shown the qualities of a legitimate World Cup champion so far. Both teams have been relentless in their pursuits of goals and possess the individual brilliance partnered with depth to go at any team.
As for Sweden, third-place finishers in 1950 and 1994, it’s a disappointing exit with Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Anthony Elanga headlining the attack. But an exit that had the writing on the wall once it drew France.
Yasin Ayari also broke out in midfield with brilliant goals and elite technical composure in tight spaces. But developing better defenders and goalies has to be the nation’s next step in the cycle to 2030.
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