by Craig Laycock
Original article:
France 3 - 0 Sweden
Mbappe (45', 74'), Barcola (53')
In a game played in sweltering conditions in New Jersey, it was France who strolled to success as they knocked Sweden out of the competition.
A more direct Sweden than we’ve seen so far in this competition threatened France in the opening stages, with long balls to Gyokores and interplay between him and Isak opening doors for half chances.
Sweden spent a lot of time in the French half in the early stages, playing a fairly high energy pacey game while trying to stay organised at the back. When France did get the ball, Sweden defended their box well in the early stages with two banks of four.
It looked like France might have had the breakthrough in the 20th minute, with Mbappe making an electric run from deep before slotting it past the keeper, but it was ruled out for a tight offside with a late flag.
In the 29th minute Mbappe played in Rabiot with a brilliant short through ball, but Rabiot’s strike was well saved by Zetterström. But France kept knocking on the door. Less than a minute later Mbappe smashed one against the base of the post after a brilliant cut back by Kounde.
Just five minutes later, Olise went close with a stunning acrobatic overhead kick from about 14 yards out, only to clatter it against the other upright, with Dembele smashing the rebound over the bar. If Olise’s effort had gone in, it would have been the goal of the tournament.
Mbappe had another effort from range in the 39th minute, but he struck it straight at the goalkeeper. Olise then dragged an effort just wide from range soon after, and another strike from Olise forced a brilliant save from Zetterström.
But just seconds later, Mbappe smashed one home after some clever interplay from a corner fed him, before he jinked inside the box and hammered a right-footed finish into the far inside netting.
Right before half time Sweden thought they had a penalty appeal, but the flag was up for offside, side-stepping the debate. In the second half, things only got worse for them, when Barcola was played in beautifully by Olise to slot home.
It was largely one way traffic from France after that as the front four continued to torment the Swedish defence on the counter. Straight after the second hydration break, France were through and overloaded the Swedish defence, but Olise hit it straight at the keeper when 1 on 1.
And in the 73rd minute France took it up a notch with an incredible piece of interchange between Mbappe and Olise, starting with a backheel from Mbappe and ending with a brilliant return ball from Olise, followed by a sublime finish to make it 6 goals for Mbappe now, taking him level with Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
Gyokores had a great late chance to salvage some pride for Sweden with a low finish to the keeper’s left, but it was well saved by Mike Maignan in the French goal.
Les Bleus march on to face Paraguay, Sweden head back home.
7 min read
France 3 - 0 Sweden
Mbappe (45', 74'), Barcola (53')
In a game played in sweltering conditions in New Jersey, it was France who strolled to success as they knocked Sweden out of the competition.
A more direct Sweden than we’ve seen so far in this competition threatened France in the opening stages, with long balls to Gyokores and interplay between him and Isak opening doors for half chances.
Sweden spent a lot of time in the French half in the early stages, playing a fairly high energy pacey game while trying to stay organised at the back. When France did get the ball, Sweden defended their box well in the early stages with two banks of four.
It looked like France might have had the breakthrough in the 20th minute, with Mbappe making an electric run from deep before slotting it past the keeper, but it was ruled out for a tight offside with a late flag.
In the 29th minute Mbappe played in Rabiot with a brilliant short through ball, but Rabiot’s strike was well saved by Zetterström. But France kept knocking on the door. Less than a minute later Mbappe smashed one against the base of the post after a brilliant cut back by Kounde.
Just five minutes later, Olise went close with a stunning acrobatic overhead kick from about 14 yards out, only to clatter it against the other upright, with Dembele smashing the rebound over the bar. If Olise’s effort had gone in, it would have been the goal of the tournament.
Mbappe had another effort from range in the 39th minute, but he struck it straight at the goalkeeper. Olise then dragged an effort just wide from range soon after, and another strike from Olise forced a brilliant save from Zetterström.
But just seconds later, Mbappe smashed one home after some clever interplay from a corner fed him, before he jinked inside the box and hammered a right-footed finish into the far inside netting.
Right before half time Sweden thought they had a penalty appeal, but the flag was up for offside, side-stepping the debate. In the second half, things only got worse for them, when Barcola was played in beautifully by Olise to slot home.
It was largely one way traffic from France after that as the front four continued to torment the Swedish defence on the counter. Straight after the second hydration break, France were through and overloaded the Swedish defence, but Olise hit it straight at the keeper when 1 on 1.
And in the 73rd minute France took it up a notch with an incredible piece of interchange between Mbappe and Olise, starting with a backheel from Mbappe and ending with a brilliant return ball from Olise, followed by a sublime finish to make it 6 goals for Mbappe now, taking him level with Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
Gyokores had a great late chance to salvage some pride for Sweden with a low finish to the keeper’s left, but it was well saved by Mike Maignan in the French goal.
Les Bleus march on to face Paraguay, Sweden head back home.
Last 32: France rout helpless Sweden
Graham Potted.
Original article:
France 3 - 0 Sweden
Mbappe (45', 74'), Barcola (53')
In a game played in sweltering conditions in New Jersey, it was France who strolled to success as they knocked Sweden out of the competition.
A more direct Sweden than we’ve seen so far in this competition threatened France in the opening stages, with long balls to Gyokores and interplay between him and Isak opening doors for half chances.
Sweden spent a lot of time in the French half in the early stages, playing a fairly high energy pacey game while trying to stay organised at the back. When France did get the ball, Sweden defended their box well in the early stages with two banks of four.
It looked like France might have had the breakthrough in the 20th minute, with Mbappe making an electric run from deep before slotting it past the keeper, but it was ruled out for a tight offside with a late flag.
In the 29th minute Mbappe played in Rabiot with a brilliant short through ball, but Rabiot’s strike was well saved by Zetterström. But France kept knocking on the door. Less than a minute later Mbappe smashed one against the base of the post after a brilliant cut back by Kounde.
Just five minutes later, Olise went close with a stunning acrobatic overhead kick from about 14 yards out, only to clatter it against the other upright, with Dembele smashing the rebound over the bar. If Olise’s effort had gone in, it would have been the goal of the tournament.
Mbappe had another effort from range in the 39th minute, but he struck it straight at the goalkeeper. Olise then dragged an effort just wide from range soon after, and another strike from Olise forced a brilliant save from Zetterström.
But just seconds later, Mbappe smashed one home after some clever interplay from a corner fed him, before he jinked inside the box and hammered a right-footed finish into the far inside netting.
Right before half time Sweden thought they had a penalty appeal, but the flag was up for offside, side-stepping the debate. In the second half, things only got worse for them, when Barcola was played in beautifully by Olise to slot home.
It was largely one way traffic from France after that as the front four continued to torment the Swedish defence on the counter. Straight after the second hydration break, France were through and overloaded the Swedish defence, but Olise hit it straight at the keeper when 1 on 1.
And in the 73rd minute France took it up a notch with an incredible piece of interchange between Mbappe and Olise, starting with a backheel from Mbappe and ending with a brilliant return ball from Olise, followed by a sublime finish to make it 6 goals for Mbappe now, taking him level with Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
Gyokores had a great late chance to salvage some pride for Sweden with a low finish to the keeper’s left, but it was well saved by Mike Maignan in the French goal.
Les Bleus march on to face Paraguay, Sweden head back home.
7 min read
Last 32: France rout helpless Sweden
Graham Potted.
France 3 - 0 Sweden
Mbappe (45', 74'), Barcola (53')
In a game played in sweltering conditions in New Jersey, it was France who strolled to success as they knocked Sweden out of the competition.
A more direct Sweden than we’ve seen so far in this competition threatened France in the opening stages, with long balls to Gyokores and interplay between him and Isak opening doors for half chances.
Sweden spent a lot of time in the French half in the early stages, playing a fairly high energy pacey game while trying to stay organised at the back. When France did get the ball, Sweden defended their box well in the early stages with two banks of four.
It looked like France might have had the breakthrough in the 20th minute, with Mbappe making an electric run from deep before slotting it past the keeper, but it was ruled out for a tight offside with a late flag.
In the 29th minute Mbappe played in Rabiot with a brilliant short through ball, but Rabiot’s strike was well saved by Zetterström. But France kept knocking on the door. Less than a minute later Mbappe smashed one against the base of the post after a brilliant cut back by Kounde.
Just five minutes later, Olise went close with a stunning acrobatic overhead kick from about 14 yards out, only to clatter it against the other upright, with Dembele smashing the rebound over the bar. If Olise’s effort had gone in, it would have been the goal of the tournament.
Mbappe had another effort from range in the 39th minute, but he struck it straight at the goalkeeper. Olise then dragged an effort just wide from range soon after, and another strike from Olise forced a brilliant save from Zetterström.
But just seconds later, Mbappe smashed one home after some clever interplay from a corner fed him, before he jinked inside the box and hammered a right-footed finish into the far inside netting.
Right before half time Sweden thought they had a penalty appeal, but the flag was up for offside, side-stepping the debate. In the second half, things only got worse for them, when Barcola was played in beautifully by Olise to slot home.
It was largely one way traffic from France after that as the front four continued to torment the Swedish defence on the counter. Straight after the second hydration break, France were through and overloaded the Swedish defence, but Olise hit it straight at the keeper when 1 on 1.
And in the 73rd minute France took it up a notch with an incredible piece of interchange between Mbappe and Olise, starting with a backheel from Mbappe and ending with a brilliant return ball from Olise, followed by a sublime finish to make it 6 goals for Mbappe now, taking him level with Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
Gyokores had a great late chance to salvage some pride for Sweden with a low finish to the keeper’s left, but it was well saved by Mike Maignan in the French goal.
Les Bleus march on to face Paraguay, Sweden head back home.
7 min read