France 3-0 Sweden: Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise Inspire Les Bleus into the Knockout Stages

France opened the scoring shortly before half-time when Kylian Mbappé chopped inside in the penalty area before firing a superb effort into the top corner.

The second came just after the restart when Michael Olise played a sensational through ball to Bradley Barcola, who had the simple task of lifting the ball over the goalkeeper and into the left side of the net.

Olise’s magic was on show again for France’s third goal. Another pass to admire threaded Mbappé through for his second of the game and his sixth goal of the tournament so far.

Although France scored three times, the saves made by Jacob Widell Zetterström in the Sweden goal kept the scoreline respectable.

Few times in international football history has one nation been able to field a front line containing five of the world’s best attacking players, but this France side have struck gold.

From the opening whistle, the quartet of Barcola, Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Olise tore the Swedish defence apart, creating chances with ease and looking a level above their opponents.

Olise, Mbappé and Barcola all tried their luck from distance and each came close to breaking the deadlock.

However, it was Olise who got everyone out of their seats when his unbelievable bicycle kick from the edge of the box beat Zetterström before crashing against the inside of the right-hand post.

Mbappé also struck the foot of the post with a side-footed effort after a cross fell kindly to him, although his attempt was nowhere near as spectacular as Olise’s.

Despite France’s attacking dominance, Sweden began the game as positively as possible, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle stars Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Anthony Elanga all looking lively going forward. Right at the end of the first half, Elanga appeared to be bundled over inside the penalty area, but no penalty was awarded because of an offside in the build-up.

That penalty would have levelled the scores because, during the ten minutes before the incident, Mbappé had already seen one goal ruled out for offside before producing a brilliant solo strike that legitimately found the corner to give France a deserved lead at half-time.

As the second half began, France’s forwards showed no signs of slowing down, and within minutes they had doubled their advantage. This time, Olise played another delicate pass through the Swedish back line for Barcola to finish confidently.

Sweden were unable to build on their few attacking moments from the opening 45 minutes as France dominated possession and continued to threaten.

Zetterström pulled off several outstanding saves to prevent Olise from adding his name to the scoresheet alongside France’s two goals.

However, the Swedish goalkeeper’s heroic performance could only delay the inevitable.

Mbappé’s clever backheel started the move before Olise collected possession and delivered a disguised pass in behind for Mbappé to curl beautifully into the far corner and make it 3-0.

A late opportunity did fall Sweden’s way to give their supporters something to cheer about.

Gyökeres received the ball on the edge of the penalty area with only Mike Maignan to beat, but his low effort was comfortably saved.

The victory means France will now face Paraguay, who arrive in the knockout stages on the back of one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

One thing is certain: France are here to play.