France have done everything but score for most of this half — and finally, right at the death, Kylian Mbappé made it count. Les Bleus lead Sweden 1–0 at the break in their FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 32 clash at the New Jersey Stadium, and it could easily have been more.
74% possession. 14 shots. Two woodwork strikes. One ruled-out goal. This has been a masterclass in sustained pressure — and in Swedish stubbornness.
France vs Sweden is live right now on ZEE 5 — stream the second half of FIFA World Cup 2026™ with the ZEE5 FIFA Subscription 5 Quarterly Plan at ₹799.
France’s Relentless First Half
From the first whistle, France controlled everything. Graham Potter’s Sweden sat deep, organized, and compact, inviting France to break them down. For long stretches, it looked like it might not happen.
The opening quarter was full of near-things. Mbappé nearly opened his account in the 15th minute with a clinical strike that looked destined for the net, only to be flagged for offside. It was the right call but a reminder that France were finding the right channels — they just needed the timing.
Then came the woodwork. Mbappé struck the upright. Michael Olise, moments later, unleashed a spectacular overhead kick that crashed off the frame. It was the kind of attempt that would have been goal of the tournament. The MetLife Stadium crowd held its breath. The post held firm.
Sweden’s Counter-Threat: Isak and Gyökeres
Sweden were not purely defensive. Potter’s system is built around absorbing pressure and hitting quickly, and Alexander Isak gave France something to think about — registering two shots, including one that forced a save from Mike Maignan after Viktor Gyökeres played him in with a sharp pass.
Maignan looked untroubled overall, but the threat was real enough to remind France’s backline they could not switch off even for a moment. Sweden’s quality in transition is genuine, and Isak in space is a dangerous proposition at any stage of a match.
44′ — The Goal France Deserved
It arrived exactly when it needed to. Deep into first-half stoppage time, France worked a clever corner kick routine — Dembélé combining sharply with Mbappé to free him inside the box. What followed was pure Mbappé. Three Swedish defenders, one by one, were left behind as he danced his way through on his right foot. Then the finish: a curling strike, lashed into the top right corner, completely beyond Jacob Widell Zetterström.
It was Mbappé doing what he does in big games. After the offside call, after the post, after 44 minutes of France knocking and knocking — he answered.
What to Expect in the Second Half
The question now is whether Sweden can change their approach. A goal down, Potter may push Isak and Gyökeres higher and take more risks. That creates space France will relish.
For Les Bleus, the job is simple in principle and difficult in practice — keep the ball, find the second goal, and put the tie to bed before Sweden can threaten. With Mbappé in this mood, another goal feels more likely than not. But Sweden have the attackers to punish any slip in concentration.
Forty-five minutes to decide who faces Paraguay in the Round of 16. France lead — and they look far from finished.
Don’t miss the second half — France vs Sweden continues live on ZEE 5, India’s official home of FIFA World Cup 2026™.
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