France eased into the World Cup last-16 with a convincing 3-0 win over Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium, as Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Bradley Barcola added a second-half goal.
Sweden made an encouraging start and registered the first effort on target when Alexander Isak tested Mike Maignan from the edge of the area, but France quickly settled into their rhythm.
Mbappe and Bradley Barcola were constant threats, while Michael Olise repeatedly found space between the Swedish lines. France thought they had taken the lead after 20 minutes when Mbappe raced through and finished confidently beyond Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, only for the offside flag to cut short the celebrations.
The French captain continued to cause problems and struck the post after being picked out by Jules Kounde’s cut-back, while Olise came within inches of producing one of the goals of the tournament when his spectacular overhead kick crashed against the woodwork.
Mbappe strikes before the break
France’s pressure finally told on the stroke of half-time.
A cleverly worked short-corner routine involving Olise and Ousmane Dembele created the opening, with Dembele finding Mbappe inside the penalty area.
The striker shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled a finish into the far corner to give France a deserved 1-0 lead.
The goal was Mbappe’s 17th at World Cup finals and ensured France went into the interval in complete control after enjoying more than 70 per cent possession during the opening period.
Barcola doubles the advantage
Sweden needed a response after the restart but instead found themselves further behind eight minutes into the second half.
A loose pass in midfield was intercepted by Aurelien Tchouameni, who quickly released Olise. The playmaker threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Swedish defence, allowing Barcola to take a touch before calmly finishing beyond Zetterstrom for 2-0.
France continued to create chances on the counter-attack and came close to extending their lead through Olise and Barcola before Mbappe struck again in the 74th minute.
Olise was once more the provider, splitting the Swedish back line with another incisive through ball. Mbappe timed his run perfectly before bending a trademark finish into the far corner to complete his brace and make it 3-0.
The forward was substituted shortly afterwards to a standing ovation, with the result already beyond doubt.
Sweden’s best opportunity arrived late on when Viktor Gyokeres forced Maignan into action before Mattias Svanberg tested the France goalkeeper from a tight angle in stoppage time.
