Kylian Mbappe shines as France honors Didier Deschamps by winning the WC against Sweden

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – There’s a reason there’s an audible gasp every time Kylian Mbappe touches the ball, because in a second, he can take your soul. Viktor Gyokeres from Sweden found it difficult at the end of the first half as Mbappe was able to pass his defender on his way to open the scoring in a 3-0 victory over France. He added another as he became the second highest goalscorer in World Cup history behind only Lionel Messi with his 18th goal in the tournament.

It is surprising to watch the French team running freely, as Didier Deschamps has been the person who used players like Blaise Matuidi as winners, focused on the teams defensive football, and did his best to get his best 11 players on the field while playing defensively, but the difference in this French team in 2022 is that four players need their best players Ousley to attack Ousley. Barcola, Michael Olise and Mbappe, and all but Barcola are considered as one of the top five to ten players in the world.

That opening goal also came after Deschamps missed France’s final group stage match due to the death of his mother, so he could return home, but returned before the knockout stage. After scoring the goal, Mbappe immediately ran to the sideline to hug his coach, and the team followed him. He has been in control as a captain in this tournament, and this is the latest example of that for the national team.

“Yes, I think it was important. I think Kylian did it to support the coach,” said Malo Gusto a minute after the game. “It was a tough time for him, so it was up to us to return the favor, and I think we did that very well tonight.”

Mbappe added more about the moment and how important it is for the team to be together.

“Not only me. I think the whole team, the whole team was there with him,” said Mbappe. “I think it’s important; there are more important things than the World Cup, more important than football. But like I said, the DNA of this team, to all be together, to be really one. We all follow the coach, no matter what happens, no matter what will happen, we’re all behind him, and we wanted to make him feel like he wasn’t completely alone.”

Those bonding moments go a long way in a competition as tough as this one. The team has been at this stage for a month, and caring for each other goes a long way these days.

On the pitch, Sweden’s best defender was a goal, which prevented France from scoring two goals in the game, as I mean a shot from outside the box for fun, no one could stop France once they got into their stride. But going into the round of 16, this feels like a strength and a weakness for Les Bleus.

France has been one of the teams, if not the most attacking team in this World Cup, that is true. But because of that attack, they have also been untested defensively, allowing only nine shots on goal in this tournament. They will face Paraguay in the round of 16 in Philadelphia on July 4th, yet another game where France will be the big favorites and could face a team that can match them in football.

You can only deal with who is put in front of you, and France have passed each test so far, but there is always time to reflect on what may come next. Mbappe acknowledges the pressure they face, but having gone to three World Cups with France, Mbappe and the team know what it’s all about, and they know how to make sure the team is ready for the job.

“I think it’s a different fear,” Mbappe said of the exit stages. “Now, there is a lot of pressure, even in the group stage matches. Then, in a 48-team tournament like this one, there is less, because we see that with 2 defeats, you can still go forward. So it is true that the group stages were a little more relaxed in terms of pressure. There is less pressure now, but it is for us, many well-known players of the World Cup who have played in the atmosphere of the previous World Cup. Young.”

That balance and leadership will take the French national team far, especially since they still have to choose against Canada or Morocco in the semi-finals, but confidence and leadership will be needed when they face a team like Spain. They are looking to make the final of the World Cup for the third time in a row, the pressure is high, and they are ready to rise to it.