France defeat Sweden 3-0 to advance to World Cup l...

By Priya Nair — 30 June 2026 — 3 min read

France dominate Sweden in World Cup encounter

France secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Sweden in the World Cup round of 32, maintaining a perfect record of four wins from four matches. The match, held in East Rutherford, saw Kylian Mbappé score twice, with Bradley Barcola adding another goal. This win propels France into the last 16, where they are set to face Paraguay.

The French squad showcased a dominant performance, particularly in their attacking play, which proved challenging for Sweden to contain. Michael Olise was a central figure in France’s offensive efforts, contributing two assists and delivering a notable performance that created numerous opportunities for his team.

The first half of the match presented an interesting contest, with Sweden initially demonstrating a clear game plan and posing a threat on counterattacks. Players like Anthony Elanga and Viktor Gyökeres aimed to link up with Alexander Isak, who had two early shots on goal. However, the defensive efforts of Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba ensured that these attempts did not trouble 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 suggested frustration, the team 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 attack.

Mbappé’s brace and Olise’s influence

The breakthrough came just before half-time. Following a corner taken by Ousmane Dembelé and a quick exchange with Olise, Mbappé received the ball inside the box. Despite a challenging angle and multiple defenders, Mbappé skillfully bent a shot past Zetterström to open the scoring. This goal marked a significant moment, as France had previously hit the woodwork twice through Mbappé and Olise.

Kylian Mbappé celebrates after slotting home France’s third goal in a dominant display.Photograph: Al Bello/Getty Images Credit: theguardian.com

Eight minutes into the second half, France extended their lead. After Sweden briefly gained possession, Aurélien Tchouaméni seized the ball and passed it to Olise. Olise then delivered a perfectly weighted pass between a Swedish centre-half and full-back, allowing Barcola to stride into the box and score France’s second goal.

France’s Bradley Barcola thumps home their second goal.Photograph: John Sibley Credit: theguardian.com

Olise continued to be instrumental throughout the second half, moving across the forward line, dropping deep, and making runs to create danger. His efforts were rewarded again with 15 minutes remaining when he provided his second assist of the game, setting up Mbappé for his second goal. Mbappé’s finish, a curling shot into the far side of the goal, sealed France’s convincing 3-0 victory.

Mbappé’s two goals in this match brought his total to six in the current World Cup, drawing him level with Lionel Messi in the golden boot race. He now has 18 World Cup goals overall, placing him just one behind Messi’s record of 19. The 27-year-old French captain celebrated his first goal by embracing coach Didier Deschamps, who is set to step down at the end of the competition after 14 years in charge.

Sweden, despite having quality attackers like Gyökeres, Isak, and Elanga, struggled to create sufficient chances due to France’s dominance in possession and shots on goal. Their journey in the tournament concludes after reaching the round of 32 through the playoffs.

Looking ahead to the last 16

France’s next challenge will be against Paraguay in the last 16, a repeat of their 1998 World Cup encounter where France secured a 1-0 victory in extra time. The upcoming match is scheduled to take place on Saturday in Philadelphia.

With their strong performance against Sweden and a perfect record in the tournament so far, France is widely expected to advance further in the competition. The team’s cohesive play and individual brilliance, particularly from Mbappé and Olise, suggest they are in formidable form as they progress to the next stage.

The French team’s ability to break down a compact Swedish defense, even after initial struggles, highlights their adaptability and offensive depth. The combination of Dembelé, Olise, and Mbappé proved particularly effective in creating and converting scoring opportunities throughout the match.

The victory ensures France’s continued pursuit of the World Cup title, with their next fixture against Paraguay on Saturday.