By Toby TAIWO
Michael Olise continued in his mercurial World Cup form as France beat Sweden 3-0 to set up a last-16 clash with Paraguay.
Thierry Henry, after the match, said Olise can easily walk away with the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, even at this point.
“Olise is the real deal in this team. He has consistently lifted his game from day one and he’s rising with every game. Let’s give him the MVP now.”
Mbappe finished a superb move to break the deadlock just before half-time in the last-32 tie watched by 80,663 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, after France had already hit the woodwork twice — once through Mbappe and once through Olise.
The French were on top throughout against a limited Swedish side, utterly dominating in terms of possession and shots on goal.
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Olise set up Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola for the second on 53 minutes, and then delivered a delightful pass for Mbappe to complete a convincing victory.
Mbappe’s strikes saw him move level with Lionel Messi on six goals in the all-star golden boot race at this World Cup.
The France captain now has 18 World Cup goals in total, meaning he is just one behind Messi’s overall record of 19 — a mark which 27-year-old Mbappe will keep chasing.
He celebrated his first goal by running across to embrace coach Didier Deschamps, who missed France’s final group game against Norway to travel home for his mother’s funeral.
Deschamps will step down at the end of the competition after 14 highly successful years in charge.
Les Bleus will face the South Americans in the last 16 again this time, on Saturday in Philadelphia.
