France's defense of their World Cup title came to a shuddering halt on Monday as they were beaten 2-0 by Sweden in the round of 32. Coach Didier Deschamps delivered a blunt assessment, stating his team were 'not up to the task' in a match that saw the Swedes dominate from start to finish.
Sweden's Clinical Display
Sweden took the lead in the 23rd minute through Alexander Isak, who slotted home after a swift counter-attack. They doubled their advantage just before half-time when Emil Forsberg converted a penalty after a handball by Jules Koundé. France rarely threatened, managing only two shots on target across the 90 minutes.
According to Deschamps, the team lacked energy and cohesion. 'We were second best in every department. Sweden wanted it more, and they deserved to go through,' he said in the post-match press conference.
Deschamps Takes Responsibility
Deschamps, who has led France since 2012 and won the World Cup in 2018, acknowledged his own role in the defeat. 'The responsibility is mine. I could not find the right formula. We have to accept this failure and learn from it,' he added.
The defeat marks the first time France have been eliminated in the round of 32 since the format was introduced. It also ends a remarkable run of consistency, as France had reached at least the quarter-finals in the previous three World Cups.
Sweden's Joy and Ambition
Sweden coach Janne Andersson praised his team's discipline and execution. 'We had a clear plan and the players executed it perfectly. This is a huge moment for Swedish football,' he said. Sweden will now face the winner of the match between South Korea and Portugal in the round of 16.
Sweden's victory was built on a solid defensive display, with Victor Lindelöf marshalling the backline superbly. They also posed a constant threat on the break, with Isak and Forsberg causing problems for the French defense.
What Went Wrong for France?
France's star-studded lineup, including Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and Eduardo Camavinga, failed to click. Mbappé was largely anonymous, while Griezmann struggled to influence the game. The midfield was overrun by Sweden's energetic trio of Kristoffer Olsson, Mattias Svanberg, and Jens Cajuste.
Defensively, France looked vulnerable, particularly from set pieces. Sweden's goal from a penalty highlighted a lack of discipline, with Koundé's handball deemed unnecessary by many pundits.
Statistically, France had 58% possession but only created a few clear-cut chances. Their expected goals (xG) was a mere 0.4, compared to Sweden's 1.8.
Future Uncertain for Deschamps
Deschamps' contract runs until after the 2026 World Cup, but questions will now be asked about his future. The French Football Federation (FFF) is expected to hold talks with him in the coming days. 'I have not thought about my future. We will take time to analyze this failure,' Deschamps said.
For Sweden, the dream continues. They will be confident of advancing further, having already knocked out one of the tournament favorites. The victory was celebrated wildly in Stockholm, with fans taking to the streets to mark the historic win.
