FIFA World Cup LIVE: Mbappe scores just before halftime to give France 1-0 lead over Sweden

France 1-0 Sweden

Michael Olise drives a powerful, low shot toward goal that is brilliantly denied by the Swedish keeper, forcing a late corner. From the resulting set-piece, Sweden fails to clear their lines properly. The ball breaks to Kylian Mbappé inside the penalty area, who showcases some dazzling, sweet footwork to bypass his marker before ruthlessly smashing it home! Les Bleus finally break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.

The French onslaught continues. Michael Olise whips a beautiful free-kick into the box from the left, finding Dayot Upamecano, but the defender's header flies off-target. Moments later, Kylian Mbappé cuts inside from the left flank and fires another effort from outside the area, but his strike goes straight into the midriff of the Swedish goalkeeper.

A breathtaking piece of acrobatics nearly provides a wondergoal! The ball loops to the edge of the area, and Michael Olise launches into a stunning overhead kick with his back to goal. The sensational effort beats the keeper but crashes agonisingly off the post. The rebound falls to Ousmane Dembélé on the other side of the box, but he curls his follow-up effort just wide. France is knocking loudly on the door!
35 mins: France 0-0 Sweden

Absolute dominance from France right now! Les Bleus recycle the ball beautifully until it falls to Kylian Mbappe on the left side, just outside the penalty area. The superstar cuttingly shifts inside and unleashes a ferocious, curling strike that beats the keeper completely, only to crash violently off the base of the left post! Sweden survives by centimeters.

France turns up the heat right outside the Swedish penalty area! Kylian Mbappé shows sublime vision, slipping a perfect, incisive pass into the box directly into the path of Adrien Rabiot. The midfielder strikes it cleanly, but Robin Nordfeldt produces a brilliant save to deny him at the near post. The ball deflects wide for a French corner.
29 mins: France 0-0 Sweden

Sweden attempts a clever, rehearsed free-kick routine, sliding a pass right into the path of Alexander Isak inside the box. However, the French defence reads it quickly and tightens the space. Closely marked, the striker can only get away a weak, off-balance shot that rolls comfortably into the hands of Mike Maignan.
26 mins: France 0-0 Sweden

• Possession: France 63% – 37% Sweden
• Passes (Accuracy): France 136 (91%) – 74 (74%) Sweden
• Shots (On Target): France 3 (2) – 1 (1) Sweden

Kylian Mbappé has the ball in the back of the net, but the celebrations are instantly cut short!
The Real Madrid superstar finds himself completely unmarked in the middle of the pitch. He collects a crisp pass right to his feet, strides confidently forward, and calmly slots a clinical finish past the keeper. However, the linesman's flag goes up immediately

Space finally opens up through the middle of the park for Kylian Mbappé. The Real Madrid forward drives forward and has a pop at goal from distance. It isn't his best effort, lacking the usual power
17 mins: France 0-0 Sweden

Lucas Digne nearly breaks the deadlock! A French corner is cleared only as far as the left-back, who unleashes a powerful first-time volley from well outside the box. The fierce strike flies through a crowd of players, but goalkeeper Robin Nordfeldt handles it securely. France is ramping up the pressure and looking incredibly dangerous.
15 mins: France 0-0 Sweden

Sweden is playing a highly physical game, snapping into challenges to disrupt France's rhythm. In response, Les Bleus are calmly holding possession, patiently passing around the back to try and unlock a stubborn Swedish defence that is refusing to give them an inch of space.
France 0-0 Sweden

France wins a dangerous free kick just outside the Swedish penalty area, sending their big defenders forward. The delivery is floated beautifully into a crowded box, sparking a chaotic sequence of headers as both sides fight for aerial dominance.

Sweden nearly stuns the French defence with a lightning-fast route-one attack! A beautifully struck long ball finds Viktor Gyökeres, who uses his strength to hold up play before laying it back perfectly to Alexander Isak. The Newcastle forward takes a quick first-time shot from the edge of the area, but French keeper Mike Maignan reads it all the way and collects it with ease. A positive start for Graham Potter's men!

The referee blows the whistle and the first half is officially underway at the New York New Jersey Stadium, where tournament favorites France look to assert their dominance against a dangerous, nothing-to-lose Sweden side for a coveted spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16.

Kickoff shortly

Mike Maignan, Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé (C)

Jacob Widell Zetterström, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Lindelöf (C), Lucas Bergvall, Yasin Ayari, Elliot Stroud, Daniel Svensson, Viktor Gyökeres, Alexander Isak, Anthony Elanga

France: Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Michael Olise
Sweden: Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, Anthony Elanga, Yasin Ayari

Opta win probability:
France: 75.1%
Sweden: 9.5%
Draw/ET: 15.4%

24th meeting overall
France lead: 12 wins vs Sweden’s 6 (5 draws)
First World Cup meeting between both sides
Sweden won last major tournament meeting (Euro 2012)

France:
N’Golo Kanté doubtful (fitness issue)
Marcus Thuram out (calf injury)
William Saliba expected return
Sweden:
Isak Hien ruled out (hamstring injury)