What to expect when France take on Sweden in their World Cup Round of 32 encounter

[p]After already seeing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/germany/ptQide1O/"]Germany[/a] and the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/netherlands/WYintcWb/"]Netherlands[/a] being dispatched by supposed weaker opponents, with respect, Les Bleus will need to be on their guard to ensure that they don't suffer the same fate.[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mbappe-kylian/Wn6E2SED/"]Mbappe[/a] gunning for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Messi[/a]'s record[/h2][p]The French have looked dangerous in each game that they've played at the tournament so far, and perhaps this was never better evidenced than when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/dembele-ousmane/zsMC2Ec0/"]Ousmane Dembele[/a] plundered a first-half hat-trick in his side's 4-1 win in the final Group I game against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/norway/8rP6JO0H/"]Norway[/a].[/p][p]In Kylian Mbappe, they also have an in-form striker who will be gunning for Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup scoring record, and a hat-trick in this one will see him equal the Argentine's 19-goal mark as well as take him one clear of Messi as this World Cup's golden boot.[/p][embed guid="35048d35-6ab6-43e8-828f-f18ebb512362" url="https://x.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/2071881395400835168" social-type="twitter" /][p]In seven games played this year in all competitions, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a] have lost one, but won the other six, whilst the Swedes have won three, drawn two and lost two.[/p][p]The difference between the two sides can clearly be seen in terms of their output in their last six matches, as, even though both have scored in each of those games (France 17, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sweden/OQyqbHWB/"]Sweden[/a] 13), Les Bleus' total of just six conceded is so much better than the 14 shipped by Sweden.[/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/isak-alexander/p41IV42c/"]Isak[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gyokeres-viktor/zaBZ1xIk/"]Gyokeres[/a] with points to prove[/h2][p]10 of those goals from the French have come in the World Cup, the joint most of any side competing in the showpiece, and a 100% group record has also been achieved for the first time since 1998, when France won their first World Cup.[/p][p]If Mbappe and Co. score at least three goals against Sweden, they'll become the first side ever to have done so in five successive World Cup games, but the likes of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres have their own points to prove.[/p][embed guid="7773a874-5bde-4eef-ab6a-bac81b9b49d5" url="https://x.com/svenskfotboll/status/2071881429206630459" social-type="twitter" /][p]The former had an injury-hit 2025/26 campaign at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a], whilst the latter helped [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a] to a first Premier League title in 22 years. [/p][p]Both will be keen to ensure Sweden's major tournament record against the French remains intact.[/p][h2]Weight of history against Sweden[/h2][p]Despite having lost 12 times and drawn five other games in their 23 H2H encounters, they drew (1-1) against Les Bleus in the 1992 European Championship and beat them (2-0) in the same competition in 2012 - the only two times they've faced each other in tournament football.[/p][p]Given that in Sweden's last nine fixtures in all competitions, both teams have scored, and the same scenario has played out in seven of France's last eight games, that would suggest that this is another match which could be full of goals.[/p][image alt="France v Sweden - Recent head-to-head results" id="74f5255b-5cbd-45d2-b348-87346ff0d769" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="590bdd72-f157-4e73-ad8f-558577b2e2aa" original-width="1200" original-height="1200" /][p]Indeed, Sweden ended the group stage with seven goals scored and seven conceded, after beating [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tunisia/QqZVYk95/"]Tunisia[/a] 5-1 before being humbled by the Netherlands by the same scoreline, and rounding things off with a 1-1 draw against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/japan/ULXPdOUj/"]Japan[/a]. Results that only saw them qualify for the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed sides. [/p][p]Even with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/elanga-anthony/dOlRWlZ6/"]Anthony Elanga[/a] looking to become the first Swedish player since 1994 to score in three successive World Cup games, his side doesn't really have anywhere close to the depth that their opponents possess.[/p][h2]France's incentive for victory[/h2][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hien-isak/hz4zWEIG/"]Isak Hien[/a] will miss the remainder of the tournament, and if [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lindelof-victor/OIp0Le1f/"]Victor Lindelof[/a] is also unable to return for Graham Potter, it could represent a real problem for them. In contrast, France have an embarrassment of riches in reserve, and that ability for Didier Deschamps to rotate as needed will likely stand his side in good stead. [/p][p]Furthermore, both Germany and the Netherlands could've been in France's way of making it to at least the semi-final of the tournament and a potentially mouth-watering clash with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a], so with the two European giants now dispatched, it's handed Les Bleus even more of an incentive to go for broke against the Swedes.[/p][image alt="France v Sweden - Live win probability" id="26757864-b504-49d7-9d60-1413498044ba" credit-line="Opta by Stats Perform" guid="0348f51b-0de0-4b1d-9af9-1f90eb3dd748" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]In terms of formations, France are likely to stick with the 4-2-3-1 that has served them so well in the tournament to date, with Sweden opting for a 4-3-3.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/saliba-william/EgIM3sB7/"]William Saliba[/a] should return after missing the last game through injury, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/digne-lucas/v9Ux4sua/"]Lucas Digne[/a] is knocking on the door to take [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hernandez-theo/ATurLHr0/"]Theo Hernandez[/a]'s place at left-back.[/p][p]It's difficult to look past a French victory, but this World Cup has already thrown up a few surprises.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/france-QkGeVG1n/sweden-OQyqbHWB/?mid=UN3MMEFl"]Follow France v Sweden with Flashscore[/a][/b][/p][infobox id="8a8311c3-81b3-440e-8b49-36091db073d1" /]