Kylian Mbappe scored twice in France's commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday night, moving him within one goal of Lionel Messi's World Cup goal record and surpassing Miroslav Klose on the all-time scoring chart.
Didier Deschamps, returning to the touchline after the recent death of his mother, watched his team cruise into the last 16 of the tournament. Bradley Barcola added the second goal, with Michael Olise contributing two assists. France has now scored three or more goals in five consecutive World Cup games, a historic feat.
Sweden's Early Intensity Fades
Sweden began the match with intensity, pressing France in the midfield and causing some early difficulties for the French defense. However, as the game progressed, the formidable French attack began to find openings. Mbappe had an early goal disallowed by a tight offside call, and Adrien Rabiot was denied by the Swedish goalkeeper.
Within a four-minute span before halftime, both Mbappe and Olise hit the woodwork. France took the lead in the 45th minute when Mbappe received a pass from Ousmane Dembele, evaded a defender with quick footwork, and curled the ball home from the edge of the penalty area.
French Dominance Continues
Shortly after halftime, Barcola doubled France's advantage. The goal originated from a Swedish mistake near the halfway line, leading to a quick transition. Aurelien Tchouameni intercepted, found Olise, who then played a through ball to Mbappe, who finished calmly from close range.
Mbappe sealed the victory in the 75th minute with his second goal, another strike from inside the box following a pass from Olise. Both Mbappe and Olise were substituted in the final minutes of the match to applause from the crowd. France's attacking lineup, featuring Mbappe, Olise, and Dembele, is considered one of the most potent in the tournament.
Looking Ahead
France appears to be on a strong trajectory towards the final, where a potential rematch with Messi's Argentina looms. While Messi has been instrumental in Argentina's campaign, France's attacking depth, led by Mbappe and supported by Olise, presents a significant challenge. The victory over Sweden not only advances France in the tournament but also highlights Mbappe's consistent goal-scoring prowess on the World Cup stage.