When a cat corners its prey, it’s not merely being cruel; it’s meticulously plotting its next move. This analogy aptly describes France’s approach at the 2026 World Cup. Les Bleus have netted at least three goals in their last four matches, appearing capable of scoring even more, had they not run out of time or interest.
Remarkably, France is still in the process of defining their identity in this tournament. They resemble a gifted art student who, despite possessing extraordinary talent, is still grappling with the fundamentals of style and form.
Under Didier Deschamps, France is undergoing a significant transformation right before our eyes. Over his 14 years at the helm, Deschamps has cultivated teams that were strict and conservative, regardless of the wealth of talent at their disposal. These teams often engineered victories through meticulous planning rather than relying on instinct and creativity. The results speak for themselves: a final at Euro 2016, a World Cup victory in 2018, and a runner-up finish in 2022.
Shifting Dynamics
Deschamps, who recently lost his mother, plans to step down after this World Cup, yet he seems resolved to make a final statement. In this last chapter of his tenure, he has embraced a transformative leadership style, entrusting the team’s direction to Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and notably, Michael Olise. This attacking trio has been dismantling their opponents with remarkable ease.
The three players are dynamically constructing a system that suits the entire squad. They have discovered that Olise performs best in a supporting role beneath Mbappé, who has finally accepted the central striker position he had previously resisted. Through experimentation, they’ve learned that Jules Koundé excels with underlapping runs from the right back position. The French dominance over their rivals has allowed them the luxury of refining their tactics.
“We’re going to score more,” said France substitute Malo Gusto. “Michael is playing top-notch football. When he has the ball, it’s very good,”
On a sweltering afternoon in New Jersey, where the heat index reached 93 degrees F (34 degrees C) at kickoff, France completely outclassed Sweden in a last-32 match that concluded with a 3-0 scoreline, though it felt even more lopsided. Les Bleus showcased a variety of tactical options but opted not to exhaust all their resources.
Mbappé’s Dominance
Mbappé delivered an early warning with a disallowed goal in the 20th minute, having been ruled offside by a mere shoulder. Dangerous attempts from Adrien Rabiot flanked Mbappé, who struck the near post after a well-coordinated French offensive.
Olise, showcasing his remarkable skills, came close with a bicycle kick off the near post, while Dembélé narrowly missed the rebound. Frustrated, Mbappé knew it was time to seal the deal.
More brilliant play from Olise followed, as his shot from outside the box was deflected just wide by Sweden’s goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström. From the resulting corner, Olise and Dembélé exchanged the ball before Mbappé skillfully maneuvered past two defenders to score the opening goal. He celebrated by running into Deschamps’ embrace.
In the 53rd minute, Olise delivered a precision through ball that slipped between Gustaf Lagerbielke’s legs and found Bradley Barcola, doubling the lead to 2-0.
While occasionally shaky in defense, the French team felt little pressure from Sweden, allowing them to be somewhat extravagant in attack.
In the 74th minute, Olise played another brilliant ball to Mbappé, who now shares the tournament’s scoring lead with Lionel Messi. Yet Mbappé remains unfazed about the tally. “Michael is an introvert. But he’s not an introvert on the field.” he remarked.
Indeed, France could have scored more, but they had already satisfied their appetite. With 13 goals across four matches at this World Cup, they are just one shy of their total from the entire 2018 campaign.
A Fitting Farewell
Mbappé and Olise received warm farewells when they were substituted in the 85th minute, embraced fondly by Deschamps. Mbappé was awarded man of the match for his goals, while Olise’s contributions were pivotal.
“Michael is playing top-notch football. When he has the ball, it’s very good,” Deschamps praised. “Michael is an introvert. But he’s not an introvert on the field.”
Gusto succinctly assessed Olise with a single word: “Magnifique.”
This sentiment likely resonates with the entire team as they progress in the tournament.
