EAST RUTHERFORD: France brought a welcome injection of class into the hectic schedule of the World Cup finals with a 3-0 defeat of Sweden which kept the favourites’ pursuit of a second triumph in three tournaments alive.

Sweden were fortunate to be at the finals at all after a quirkily undeserved route to the pinnacle of the game courtesy initially of their lucky loser status in the depths of the UEFA Nations League.

Manager Graham Potter had organised his players effectively in defence and midfield but had proved unable to capitalise on the talents of superstar strikers Victor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak.

Thus it was the French attack which shone and deserved a wider margin of victory. Captain Kylian Mbappe and playmaker Michael Olise both hit a post after little more than half an hour. These were warning shots, literally. In the last minute of normal time in the first half Mbappe linked his way between a gaggle of defenders and fired home.

Mbappe ran directly to the touchline to celebrate with manager Didier Deschamps, back with his team after flying home last week following the death of his mother.

Bradley Barcola scored a second goal in the 53rd minute and Mbappe converted a superb Olise assist for a third in the 74th.

The Real Madrid forward thus pulled level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi on six goals, Olise stepped top of the assists chart with his fifth contribution while France became the first team to score three or more goals in five consecutive World Cup ties.

Even when Sweden did eventually fashion a clear opening for Gyokeres but goalkeeper Maik Maignan was alert to the threat. Sweden did not deserve to score and France did not deserve to concede.

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