EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — France versus the rest of Planet Earth is not a fair fight. That was made clear late in Tuesday’s first half when Kylian Mbappe squared up Sweden’s Viktor Gyökeres and made a move that inspired an American witness to default to old American memories.Was that a Barry Sanders stutter-step? An Allen Iverson crossover?Or, much more recently, a masterstroke of Jalen Brunson footwork?In the end, it was just Mbappe being Mbappe at the World Cup, exploding to his right while ankle-breaking Gyökeres and then blasting the ball into the net while the Arsenal star watched helplessly from his rump. After opening the scoring, Mbappe pointed at his coach, Didier Deschamps, and raced toward the man who had recently returned from Europe after the death of Deschamps’ mom.
PURE BRILLIANCE FROM MBAPPÉ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3nF3pB4AnF
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 30, 2026They bear-hugged to kickstart a sweltering evening of soccer that was, above all else, a celebration of France’s beautiful command of the beautiful game. This 3-0 victory over Sweden in the round of 32 felt more like a 10-0 victory.France showed off its creativity, chemistry, tactical superiority and speed. Speed, speed, speed. Michael Olise nutmegged a defender with a pass that found Bradley Barcola for a 2-0 lead. Mbappe made a no-look pass with his heel and executed a back-door cut on his second score.
