- Thanks to Michael Olise master-class, Les Bleus are in World Cup last 16 stage
Inspired by a Michael Olise master-class, France cruised majestically into the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday night.
Performing at his dazzling best in New Jersey, the Bayern Munich attacking midfield sensation was involved in absolutely everything as a Kylian Mbappe brace and Bradley Barcola strike saw Les Bleus leisurely progressing from the round of 32 with ease.
Though France took a little while to adjust and click into gear, Coach Didier Deschamps’ side eventually generated a flurry of first-half chances and pressure that led to the opening goal.
Barcola’s long run ended with the winger sweeping a shot over, and Mbappe had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside moments later. After that, Adrien Rabiot went close twice either side of the Real Madrid man but somehow hitting the woodwork in acres of space in the box.
Olise sprang into life after the half-hour mark, coming within a whisker of scoring one of the greatest goals in World Cup history as his audacious bicycle-kick smacked the base of the post. Ousmane Dembele could only guide the rebound wide.
The Bayern Munich winger followed that up by bending a shot just wide and forcing the Swedish goalkeeper into a good save from the edge of the box. It was from the resulting corner that France broke the deadlock, with Mbappe finishing off a neat set-piece routine involving Olise and Dembele on the left by skipping away from Viktor Gyokeres and whipping an unstoppable strike into the far corner.
France effectively wrapped up the win early in the second period. Olise threaded a pass through a defender’s legs and Barcola lashed a fine finish into the back of the net for 2-0. The former Crystal Palace man clearly wanted a goal of his own, but another curling shot brought another fine stop shortly after the hour mark, and when he was played through 10 minute later, his prodded effort was smothered.
Instead, Olise turned his attention back to creating – playing another inch-perfect through-ball that Mbappe buried with aplomb to put the game to bed with 15 minutes to play.
No doubt, the victory proved soothing for Deschamps who returned from a brief leave of absence to be with his family following his mother’s passing recently.
Safely in the last 16 round, the legendary tactician and his men will be facing a stubborn Paraguay team that sent four times champions, Germany packing from the competition 4-3 on penalties after both countries ended proceedings 1-1 at full and extra time play. – With Goal.com report
