The early stages of the game were dominated by the referee's whistle, with both sides giving away needless fouls. Only Alexander Isak’s third-minute on-target effort gave supporters something to get even mildly excited about in the opening period.
Sweden’s more direct style meant that Viktor Gyokeres was heavily involved, whilst Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele were being well marshalled at the opposite end, and a long-ranger from Lucas Digne was all that France had to show for their collective efforts by the quarter-hour.
Bradley Barcola was soon given the freedom of the pitch to race from near the halfway line with the ball, only to fire over at the crucial moment, moments before Mbappe tucked home after racing behind the Sweden backline, only for his celebrations to be cut short by the offside flag.
With Sweden content to put men behind the ball, France’s free-flowing game wasn’t often in evidence, but Les Bleus still looked the more dangerous, with both Mbappe and Michael Olise hitting the post, the latter with a stunning overhead effort. Right on HT, though, French pressure eventually told, and Mbappe drilled home the opener - his fifth goal of these finals - after a well-worked short corner routine.
France began the second half on the front foot, and an exquisite Olise pass which nutmegged a defender into Bradley Barcola saw Les Bleus quickly double their lead, the PSG man smashing home past Jacob Widell Zetterström.
That allowed the French to relax in possession, and it left the Swedish players chasing shadows for long periods. With just under half an hour to play, France were in complete control, and almost extended the lead through Olise, who was denied by Zetterström on more than one occasion as Didier Deschamps’ men threatened to run rampant.
On 74’, it was game over as Olise’s slide rule delivery into Mbappe saw the striker curl the ball into the far corner to bring him level with Lionel Messi as the tournament’s top scorer, and make Olise the outright top assister.
The goal was also significant in that it ensured France became the first team ever to score 3+ goals in five consecutive WC games.
The win means that France are now the leading scorers in the tournament, and no one will fancy facing them in the latter stages, least of all Paraguay who await in the last 16. Sweden’s first defeat against them in major tournament football saw them exit this edition of the showpiece with a whimper.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kylian Mbappe (France)
