· 2 min readIn this France vs Sweden match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
It was one of those games where the favourites were not just favourites on paper, it was obvious in every action. France started as if they already knew they were going to dominate, while Sweden looked like a team that knew they were going to suffer. And for almost the entire match, that was exactly what happened.
France took control from the very beginning. They had the ball, the territory and the initiative. But interestingly, it was not slow or predictable domination. It was domination full of creativity, with quality showing all over the pitch. Mbappé dropping deep to get involved, Olise constantly making things happen, and Barcola always looking to take his man on. They were difficult to stop.
Sweden tried to show something in the opening minutes, even with an effort from Isak, but they quickly realised they were going to spend the game defending. They did what they could, staying compact, but always with the feeling that any mistake could prove fatal.
France soon began piling up the chances. Mbappé hit the post, Olise attempted an overhead kick that also struck the woodwork, there were efforts from distance, quick combinations – it was a constant stream of dangerous attacks.
The goal even arrived early, but it was ruled out for offside. Even so, it changed very little. France remained on top, pushing forward and creating chances, while Sweden could barely get out of their own half.
The inevitable finally happened right at the end of the first half, in the 45th minute. A short corner, the ball went through Olise, then to Dembélé, before reaching Mbappé inside the box. He controlled it, shifted slightly onto his right foot and finished with real class. A simple move, but one executed with great quality.
That goal almost felt like a relief, because the feeling was that the game should already have been settled long before.
The second half did not change much, but France became even more clinical. In the 53rd minute, they won the ball back high up the pitch, found huge space in midfield, and Olise drove forward before releasing Barcola at exactly the right moment. He timed his run well and fired powerfully into the back of the net. A goal that came from a Swedish mistake, but also from France’s ability to take advantage immediately.
From then on, the game was virtually over. Sweden tried to have more of the ball and push further up the pitch, but they simply lacked the quality to trouble France. And every time they lost possession, they left space for France to attack again.
And when there is space, Mbappé does not forgive. In the 74th minute, a quick combination with Olise saw him play a perfect defence-splitting pass. Mbappé received it between the lines and curled his finish into the corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance. It was the finish of a player completely at ease in the game.
France still had chances to add to the score before the end, with Barcola producing a brilliant individual run and several other dangerous efforts, but there was no real need to force the issue.
Sweden managed one or two moments of their own, with Gyökeres finding himself in a good position inside the box, but Maignan dealt with it comfortably.
Post-match
A fully deserved victory for France in a game where the difference came from the sheer amount of talent they possess and the ease with which they create danger. Olise was everywhere, Mbappé delivered, and the team showed a very high attacking level.
Sweden tried to hold on, but the difference in quality was obvious from start to finish.
