Kylian Mbappé walks into MetLife Stadium on June 30 with a stat line that borders on absurd. Sixteen World Cup goals across 15 appearances since his 2018 debut, plus additional assists, giving him 20 goal involvements, the most of any player in the tournament since Russia.
Sweden, meanwhile, arrives in East Rutherford, New Jersey, having conceded 7 goals during the group stage.
The football side: France’s group-stage cruise
France topped its group to earn this Round of 32 matchup. Mbappé has been the tournament’s most dangerous attacker, continuing a World Cup career that started with a bang in 2018 and has only accelerated since.
Sweden’s defensive fragility is the obvious storyline heading into this match. Conceding 7 goals in group play suggests structural issues at the back that France’s attack is uniquely equipped to exploit.
