EAST RUTHERFORD: Kylian Mbappe said France had united behind coach Didier Deschamps after the death of his mother, as a resounding 3-0 win over Sweden on Tuesday booked them a place in the World Cup last 16.
Mbappe scored two more goals to take his tally to six at the tournament, giving him 18 World Cup goals overall, as France set up a meeting with Paraguay.
Bradley Barcola scored France’s other goal as Les Bleus produced another dazzling exhibition of attacking football that underscored their status as favourites for the title.
The Real Madrid star opened the scoring late in the first half in New Jersey and ran over to hug Deschamps, who returned to the US at the weekend after a quick trip back home to France to attend his mother’s funeral.
“I think that reflects the spirit of this group — it’s part of our DNA. We are all together,” Mbappe told French broadcaster beIN Sports. “We know the coach has been through a difficult experience; unfortunately, everyone goes through that at some point and it’s very hard.
“There are things that are more important than football, but he needs to know — and he already does — that through this gesture from the entire team, he can see he will never be alone with us, and whatever happens, we’ll be there to support him.”
Deschamps missed the win over Norway last week after flying back to France.
In his absence, assistant coach Guy Stephan took charge following the death of Deschamps’ father.
The former France captain, who will step down as coach of Les Bleus at the end of this World Cup after 14 years at the helm, said he was touched by the team’s response.
“Obviously on a personal level Kylian’s gesture moved me a lot. He’s our captain, and I’m not saying good things about him just for the sake of it, it’s because he’s been exemplary from day one,” said Deschamps.
“The group stayed united, they did what needed to be done when I wasn’t there, and it was better for me and for them that I wasn’t there.
“And from the moment I came back, they knew I was with them. But it’s a very good thing. The mindset of a group doesn’t win matches, but I know all too well that it can make you lose them.”
‘MESSI WILL SCORE MORE’
Mbappe is now only one goal behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi’s all-time World Cup record of 19 goals after his brace.
But the Frenchman is more obsessed by lifting the trophy in New York on July 19 than becoming marksman supreme.
“I think the goal, as I said, is to go as far as possible — to make it to (the final on) July 19th and come back here,” Mbappe told reporters. “We’re trying to win; were taking it one step at a time. Of course, the more goals you score, the higher you climb in the rankings — I’m not telling anyone anything new there.
“But I’m also convinced that Leo is going to score more goals, so I don’t focus too much on that. I’m more focused on the opponents we might face and how close were getting to our goal: the final.”
‘BETTER TEAM WON’
Meanwhile, Sweden coach Graham Potter admitted his side could not compete with a brilliant France team.
“The better team won, congratulations to France. I thought in terms of the game we had to be perfect and even if we were I’m not sure that would have been enough if I’m brutally honest, because the opponent was of a high level,” the Englishman said.
Mbappe was clinical, while Michael Olise tormented the Swedish defence with his passing.
“I have no complaints of the players whatsoever. I said to them after the game I don’t think it’s a disgrace to lose to France, they’re a better team and they’ve got some high-level players.
“If you look at the careers and the CVs of the French team and you compare them to ours, we’re a young developing team with hopefully a lot of good things ahead of us.”
Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026