KYLIAN MBAPPE will have been dreaming of scoring the winner at the MetLife Stadium as soon as France lost the 2022 World Cup final.
And after doing exactly that to see off Sweden in the last 32, few would bet against him repeating the trick back here in the final on July 19.
Kylian Mbappe scored just before half-time after a barrage of French shots on goal Credit: Getty
Mbappe ran straight to Didier Deschamps to celebrate Credit: Reuters
Les Bleus saw Germany shockingly knocked out by Paraguay on penalties 24 hours earlier to ruin a potential blockbuster last-16 Philadelphia showdown on the 250th July 4 anniversary.
But ensured they would not suffer the same fate as Mbappe scored his 17th and 18th World Cup goals in 18 matches across three tournaments – including six in North America this month.
with another two delicious assists.
Didier Deschamps missed the final group game, a 4-1 win over Norway, as he .
But he was back in the dugout at the MetLife, up against ex-Chelsea, Brighton and West Ham boss Graham Potter, managing a side who did not win a single match in qualifying.
Potter’s attack featured Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Anthony Elanga who cost Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle a combined £253.5million last year.
And yet for many, that was nothing compared to the value of France’s terrifying Fab Four of Barcola, , Olise and Ousmane Dembele.
Eight of Sweden’s starting XI play their football in England – for France, it was just Lucas Digne and William Saliba, although Barcola could join Saliba and Gyokeres at Arsenal this summer.
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Isak had the first deflected shot of the match but it rolled tamely to Mike Maignan before Lucas Digne and Mbappe both tried their luck from range, Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom collecting the former effort at the second attempt.
Bradley Barcola then struck fear into Sweden’s flat-pack four as he dribbled with pace and purpose but flashed over.
Mbappe did find the net after bursting clear from Olise’s through ball but was just offside all before the much-needed hydration break in the stifling heat.
Fluids replenished, fluid France continued to turn the screw and Mbappe looked destined to break the deadlock on the half-hour.
Dembele and Jules Kounde recycled a corner, the former playing in the latter who pulled it back across but Mbappe’s shot hit the base of the post and bounced kindly off a yellow leg to safety.
Olise hit the other post in spectacular fashion as he attempted an audacious overhead kick that would have been one of the best goals ever before Dembele miscued the rebound wide.
The Swedish goal was living a charmed life but at the other end, Isak had a chance of his own but could not connect the back of his heel to Elanga’s cross.
Mbappe shot straight at Zetterstrom. Olise bent one just wide. Zetterstrom tipped another from Olise round the post.
Somehow a frantic first half remained goalless after 45 minutes…
It couldn’t be 0-0 at half-time could it?
No, it could not.
Olise and Dembele combined for a short corner and fed Mbappe, who did a couple of stepovers, dropped his shoulder, left Gyokeres on the floor and fired into the far side netting in emphatic fashion.
That was his record-breaking ninth World Cup knockout goal and he .
Elanga wanted a penalty when Digne when he was pulled down but there was an offside in the build-up and everyone needed a 15-minute breather.
But seven minutes after half-time, it was 2-0.
Olise yet again found a pocket of space in the No10 and yet again found the perfect pass, slipping the ball through Gustaf Lagerbielke’s legs for Barcola who made no mistake, getting the second at the MetLife just as he did against Senegal a fortnight ago.
That was Olise’s fourth assist of the tournament – level at the top with Bruno Guimaraes – but he was desperate to get his first goal, too.
Zetterstrom flung down to his right to palm away another curling effort heading for the corner before the Bayern man’s next shot deflected harmlessly wide.
Straight after the hydration break, Dembele, Mbappe and Olise broke at rapid speed and Mbappe unselfishly teed up Olise but the goalkeeper denied him as that goal continued to prove elusive.
It was roles reversed moments later as Olise got assist No5.
Mbappe flicked to Olise who then threaded Mbappe in with a reverse pass and the Real Madrid superstar showed him how its done to go level with Messi at this World Cup and one behind the Argentine’s all-time tally of 19.
In doing so, France became the first team to score three or more goals for five consecutive World Cup matches.
Barcola sat two defenders down with a fake shot but had France’s 24th shot of the match – and 13th on target – saved, although Olise would have had a tap-in if he squared.
Mbappe would have to wait for another hat-trick and to get level with Messi’s total as he was replaced by Jean-Philippe Mateta late on while Rayan Cherki took Olise’s place.
Gyokeres had Sweden’s best sight of goal but he simply does not possess the finishing quality of Mbappe and Maignan saved – and neither does Mateta who blazed over.
Bradley Barcola made it 2-0 in style Credit: Getty
Michael Olise slipped in the PSG winger to blast home Credit: EPA
Mbappe curled beyond the goalkeeper for 3-0 Credit: Reuters
He was all smiles as he hit 18 World Cup goals and six at this tournament Credit: AFP
Arsenal team-mates William Saliba and Viktor Gyokeres went up against each other Credit: AP
Mbappe slotted into the back of the net at 0-0 Credit: Reuters
The striker was very narrowly offside Credit: Getty
The hydration break gave the players the chance to cool off Credit: AP
Michael Olise hit the post with a sensational acrobatic overhead kick Credit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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