France v Sweden LIVE: Result and reaction as Kylian Mbappe inspires Les Bleus into World Cup last 16

For a manager whose tournament has been tarnished by tragedy, a return came with a welcome from the French footballing family. His captain Mbappe greeted him with a hug when he made the breakthrough. His team delivered an exhibition. Deschamps, for so long damned with faint praise, should be missed when he moves on.

If France played with the handbrake on in Euro 2024, now Deschamps has released it. He is often described as a pragmatist, but perhaps, late in his tenure, he has discovered a purism. Or maybe it is just pragmatic to unleash his talents.

He has enviable options in attack. Many a manager must wish he could choose between Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola. Deschamps opted for the latter to complete his front four and saw the winger marry his scintillating speed with a lovely goal.

Here is how things look following Mbappe’s latest bit of magic.

France are making history and making memories. The scorer par excellence and the creator nonpareil brought their artistry to the evisceration of Sweden. One day, perhaps, Graham Potter and his team may be able to cushion their disappointment with the knowledge they witnessed something special from the same pitch.

In Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise, France have two candidates for the Golden Ball and if a certain diminutive Argentinian provides competition, this was an illustration of the contrasting strengths of Les Bleus’ devastating double act. Mbappe, with unerring brilliance, got the goals that almost seem a guarantee on such a stage, a third brace of the tournament taking him to nine in his last five World Cup matches.

Some more news this evening after the Dutch crashed out on penalties last night.

“Last night, I made the decision to end my tenure as head coach of the Dutch national team,” ⁠Koeman wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

“We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would make history. That didn’t happen. No one is more disappointed about that than I am. As head coach, you bear that responsibility.”

Liberte, Egalite, Mbappe. Or maybe it was Liberte, Egalite, Olise. France delivered another mission statement of a performance, another wonderful endorsement of their footballing philosophy taking them closer to a return to New York for a third consecutive World Cup final.

Next up it’s Paraguay for Mbappe and co with their round of 16 tie in Philadelphia at 10pm BST on Saturday, 4 July.

And the winner of that will face Morocco or Canada in the quarters.