France produced one of their best performances of the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, beating Sweden 3-0 to storm into the round of 16.
The scoreline actually did Sweden a favour. France could have easily scored many more, as they hit the woodwork several times and missed a host of clear chances by the smallest of margins.
Next up for France is Paraguay, and if they play with the same speed, creativity and attacking quality, their opponents will have plenty to worry about.
Leading the charge once again was captain Kylian Mbappe, who looked dangerous from the very first whistle.
His two goals took his World Cup finals tally to 18, leaving him just one behind Lionel Messi on the all-time list. Even more impressive, Mbappe has reached that mark in only 18 World Cup matches. His brace also took his tally for this tournament to six goals.
By full-time, Sweden looked completely exhausted after spending 90 minutes chasing France’s slick passing on a hot afternoon in New York-New Jersey.
Mbappe tested Sweden goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom with a long-range effort in the 16th minute before finding the net four minutes later, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
The match was still goalless when play was stopped for a hydration break, prompting loud boos from the packed stadium.
Mbappe hit the post shortly after the half-hour mark before finally breaking the deadlock just before half-time. Receiving a pass from Ousmane Dembele, he skipped past his marker and fired a powerful right-footed shot beyond Zetterstrom.
The goal also set a new World Cup record. Mbappe and Dembele have now combined for six goals in World Cup finals, the most by any duo in the tournament’s history, surpassing Germany’s Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose, as well as Poland’s Grzegorz Lato and Andrzej Szarmach.
More than 86,000 fans celebrated as Mbappe and the entire French team ran to the touchline to embrace coach Didier Deschamps, who had recently returned to the United States after attending his mother’s funeral.
France picked up where they left off after the break. They continued to dominate possession and create chances with ease.
After missing several opportunities, they doubled their lead in the 53rd minute when Bradley Barcola calmly lifted the ball over the Swedish goalkeeper.
Mbappe then put the result beyond doubt in the 73rd minute, finishing off a perfectly weighted through-ball from Michael Olise with a composed finish.
Deschamps substituted Mbappe in the 84th minute, and the French captain walked off to a standing ovation after another outstanding display that underlined France’s title ambitions.
