France advances to quarter-finals after 25-shot win over Sweden
France beat Sweden 4-0 in the round of 16, recording 25 attempts on goal and moving on to face Paraguay in the quarter-finals.
France progressed to the World Cup quarter-finals after a 4-0 victory over Sweden in the round of 16 at MetLife Stadium. The French side registered 25 shots, 12 on target, and scored four goals, including two from Kylian Mbappé, who now leads the tournament in knockout-stage goals.
Sweden, fielding a lineup with several Premier League players, were unable to contain France's attacking trio of Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, the latter providing the assist for the second goal scored by Bradley Barcola.
"If Mbappé is France’s MVP, then Olise is their MIP — Most Important Player," former French international Thierry Henry said after France’s opening match.
"I personally have not seen a better team," Sweden coach Graham Potter said of France’s performance.
France’s coach Didier Deschamps has rotated several younger players into the starting lineup, replacing veterans from the 2022 final. The team will meet Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday before a potential quarter-final against the winner of the Morocco-Canada match in Boston.
Analysts note that while France appears dominant, knockout football can be decided by narrow margins, and future opponents will include strong sides such as Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Belgium or the United States.