France defeats Sweden 3-0 in World Cup, advances to last 16

By Sanjay Menon — 30 June 2026 — 3 min read

France secures dominant victory against Sweden

France delivered a commanding performance against Sweden, securing a 3-0 victory in the World Cup round of 32. The match, held in East Rutherford, saw Kylian Mbappé score two goals and Michael Olise contribute two assists, propelling France into the last 16. This win maintains France’s perfect record of four wins from four matches in the tournament.

The French side demonstrated their attacking prowess throughout the game, particularly in the second half. Their dominant display included significant possession and numerous shots on goal, leaving Sweden with limited opportunities to create chances.

Mbappé’s scoring milestone and Olise’s impact

Kylian Mbappé‘s brace in the match brought his total to six goals in this World Cup, drawing him level with Lionel Messi in the golden boot race. Mbappé now has 18 World Cup goals overall, placing him just one goal behind Messi’s record of 19. The France captain celebrated his first goal by embracing coach Didier Deschamps, who had returned after missing France’s final group game.

Michael Olise was a central figure in France’s attacking play, delivering a virtuoso performance. He provided the assist for Bradley Barcola‘s goal in the 53rd minute, expertly threading a pass through the Swedish defence. Olise then set up Mbappé for his second goal in the 74th minute with another precise pass, contributing significantly to France’s convincing victory.

The first half saw Sweden attempt to compete with a clear game plan, focusing on counterattacks through players like Anthony Elanga and Viktor Gyökeres, looking to involve Alexander Isak. However, close marking from Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba prevented Sweden’s efforts from troubling goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Despite Sweden’s compact defending, France intensified their pressure around the half-hour mark. After an initial period where long-range efforts from Mbappé indicated some frustration, the French attack found its rhythm. A forceful drive from Adrian Rabiot, which Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström managed to turn around the post, seemed to ignite France’s offensive surge.

Before the opening goal, France had already hit the woodwork twice, with Mbappé and Olise both coming close. Olise’s breathtaking overhead bicycle kick struck an upright, and Ousmane Dembelé‘s follow-up went wide. The breakthrough came just before half-time, following an Olise effort that was tipped behind by Zetterström. Dembelé and Olise combined from the resulting corner, setting up Mbappé, who bent a shot past Zetterström from inside the box.

France doubled their lead eight minutes into the second half. After Sweden lost possession, Aurelién Tchouaméni passed to Olise, who delivered a perfectly weighted pass for Bradley Barcola. Barcola then surged into the box and scored. Olise continued to be influential, drifting across the forward line and creating danger, including a shot from distance that forced a sprawling save from Zetterström.

The team’s performance showcased mesmerising football, including a passing triangle between Olise, Rabiot, and Jules Koundé at the halfway line, demonstrating their control and precision. This dominant display has set up France for a last-16 clash with Paraguay.

Looking ahead to the last 16

France will now face Paraguay in the last 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia. This upcoming match marks a repeat of a past World Cup encounter, where France defeated Paraguay in the last 16 in 1998. Didier Deschamps, who captained the 1998 World Cup-winning team and coached the 2018 champions, is expected to step down at the end of the current competition after 14 years in charge.

Sweden, despite their efforts, could not generate enough chances against the French defence. Their attacking trio of Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, and Anthony Elanga were unable to make a significant impact due to France’s control of possession. Reaching this stage of the tournament is considered a success for Sweden, as they qualified through the playoffs.

France’s consistent performance throughout the tournament, including this decisive victory, positions them as strong contenders as they advance to the next stage of the competition.

Source: theguardian.com