France is currently leading Sweden 1-0 in their World Cup 2026 last 32 match. The opening goal came from Kylian Mbappe shortly before half-time, following earlier attempts where he hit the post and had another effort disallowed for offside. This goal marks Mbappe’s fifth of the tournament and places him second on the all-time World Cup scorers list, behind Lionel Messi.
The goal was a result of a well-executed corner routine. After Michael Olise forced a save from the Swedish goalkeeper Zetterstrom, Ousmane Dembele took the corner short, combining with Olise. Olise then fed the ball to Mbappe, who cut inside and curled it into the far corner. Mbappe celebrated the goal by embracing coach Didier Deschamps.
First Half Action
The match, held in New Jersey, saw France gradually increase their intensity. Early in the game, Sweden appeared composed on the ball, with Elanga showing readiness to pounce. However, France’s attacking quality began to show, with Mbappe making several attempts on goal.
Before the goal, France had multiple opportunities. Mbappe had a shot straight at the goalkeeper, and later, after a smart run by Kounde, Mbappe hit the post from close range. The ball then rebounded off Lindelof before being collected by Zetterstrom. Olise also came close to scoring with an acrobatic overhead kick that struck the post, with Dembele firing the rebound wide.
Sweden also had their chances. Elanga was involved in a play where he delivered a cross to the back post, leading to Stroud firing wide. Isak also had an opportunity from a cross but could not get enough power on his finish. There were also instances of niggly fouls, with Olise being brought down by Lindelof’s high studs, and Mbappe going down under a challenge from Bergvall.
Team Line-ups and Strategy
France’s coach Deschamps made some changes to his starting line-up for this knockout clash. Lucas Digne and Bradley Barcola were given spots on the left flank, while William Saliba returned to central defence after being rested in a previous match against Norway. The French defence is preparing to face Sweden’s high-profile forward line, which includes Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, though they have not yet fully found their form in the tournament. Sweden’s Lucas Bergvall started in midfield, with Victor Lindelof moving to central defence.
Sweden’s coach Graham Potter acknowledged the challenge, stating that his team would need to produce something exceptional to defeat France, citing their quality and past World Cup success. The winners of this match will advance to face Paraguay on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Key Moments and Player Performances
The first half saw Olise frequently involved in France’s attacking plays, often combining with Mbappe and Dembele. His freedom on the field is considered a significant factor when France’s attack is clicking. Mbappe, despite his reputation as a soloist, demonstrated strong combinations with Olise and Dembele, reminiscent of his past partnerships with Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann.
Sweden’s defensive efforts were notable, with Lindelof making a crucial intervention to prevent a rebound from Mbappe’s shot from going in. The Swedish goalkeeper Zetterstrom also made a superb save from Olise’s darting shot, which led to the corner that resulted in Mbappe’s goal. The match has been an entertaining period, particularly just before the break, with both teams creating scoring opportunities.
The offside call against Mbappe earlier in the half was very tight, as shown on the review graphic, highlighting the precision required in such high-stakes matches. The match continues to be a test for both sides as they vie for a spot in the next round of the tournament.
The atmosphere in the stadium, located in New Jersey, was described as warm, leading to a well-deserved hydration break during the match.
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Source: theguardian.com
