Sweden Has No Chance
LIVE: Can Sweden Upset Top Favorite France?
France has advanced to the round of 16 at the World Cup. The defending runner-up celebrated a well-deserved 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday in New York, once again living up to its status as the tournament’s top favorite.
Kronen Zeitung als bevorzugte Google-Quelle hinzufügen Kylian Mbappé (45th, 74th) and Bradley Barcola (53rd) propelled “Les Bleus” into the round of 16, where they will face Paraguay—who defeated Germany—on Saturday.
With 18 World Cup goals, Mbappé is now alone in second place on the all-time list behind Lionel Messi (19).
The Swedes were only able to keep up with the two-time world champions to some extent in the opening stages. Alexander Isak fired a harmless shot at the French goal (3rd minute), while at the other end, Mbappé’s shot also lacked power (17th minute).
The favorites increased the pressure; a solo run by Bradley Barcola ended with a shot that sailed well over the goal (19th minute). A minute later, Mbappé celebrated briefly after what appeared to be the 1-0 goal, but he had been narrowly offside.
France’s offense continued to create chances—Sweden’s goalie Jacob Widell Zetterström made a foot save on a shot by Adrien Rabiot (30th minute), Mbappé hit the post after a cross from Jules Koundé (32'), and a spectacular bicycle kick by Michael Olise also struck the woodwork (36'). Ousmane Dembélé sent the rebound just wide of the goal.
Mbappé celebrates with Deschamps
When Zetterström also palmed away a long-range shot by Olise from the far corner (45'), it seemed the Swedes might somehow hold on to a 0–0 draw heading into halftime. But then Mbappé struck for the first time: The Real Madrid star weaved his way through the Scandinavian defense in the box and fired a powerful shot into the far corner. As he celebrated the goal, Mbappé ran to his head coach, Didier Deschamps, who had missed the final group match against Norway due to his mother’s funeral.
The French didn’t let up at the start of the second half either and soon put the game out of reach. Olise set up Barcola, who calmly finished into the near corner. After that, the favorites shifted down a gear, circulating the ball among their own ranks, but still posed a threat time and again—such as with an Olise shot that went just wide of the near post (64').
Sweden’s Goalie Zetterström Avoids a Debacle
In the 71st minute, Zetterström prevented Sweden from conceding a third goal against Olise, but he was beaten three minutes later. Olise provided the assist, and Mbappé slotted the ball into the far corner. This puts the 27-year-old tied with Messi (6 goals each) at the top of the scoring chart for this tournament. In the closing minutes, the Swedes had Zetterström to thank for avoiding a debacle on their journey home.
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