France's attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise have been a revelation at the 2026 World Cup, leading Les Bleus to a 3-0 victory over Sweden in the last 32. The win extended France's streak of scoring at least three goals in four consecutive matches, and they have now netted 13 goals in four games—just one fewer than their entire 2018 campaign.
Deschamps' New Approach
Didier Deschamps, who will step down after this World Cup, has abandoned his traditional iron-fisted management style. Instead, he has given creative freedom to his attacking stars, allowing Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise to dictate the play. "We have our weapons," said France substitute Malo Gusto. "We showed that tonight."
The transformation has been radical. Deschamps previously built rigid, conservative sides that engineered victories through control. Now, his team relies on individual brilliance and fluid attacking movements. The trio has been working out a system on the fly, with Olise thriving underneath Mbappé, who has embraced the lone striker role, and Jules Koundé making underlapping runs from right back.
Dominance Over Sweden
In a match played in oppressive heat (93°F/34°C at kickoff), France dominated Sweden from the start. Mbappé had a goal disallowed for offside in the 20th minute, and Adrien Rabiot and Olise both hit the woodwork. The breakthrough came in the 43rd minute when Olise and Dembélé combined to set up Mbappé, who curled the ball home after beating two defenders.
In the 53rd minute, Olise played a through ball between Gustaf Lagerbielke's legs to Bradley Barcola, who made it 2-0. Mbappé added his second in the 74th minute from another Olise assist, drawing level with Lionel Messi atop the tournament's scoring charts. "We're going to score more," Mbappé said.
France could have added more goals but chose to conserve energy. The cat was fed, as one observer noted. Les Bleus have 13 goals in four matches, compared to 14 in their entire 2018 World Cup-winning campaign.
Olise's Impact
Michael Olise was the architect of France's victory, providing two assists and creating numerous chances. "Michael is playing top-notch football. When he has the ball, it's very good," said Deschamps. "Michael is an introvert. But he's not an introvert on the field."
Gusto summed up Olise's performance with one word: "Magnifique." The attacking trio's chemistry and skill have made France a formidable force, and they appear to be peaking at the right time.
Looking Ahead
France's next opponent is yet to be determined, but their form suggests they are serious contenders for the title. With Deschamps' new approach and the brilliance of Mbappé, Olise, and Dembélé, Les Bleus look as under control as ever—even as they continue to evolve their style.
