Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise played brilliantly for the Blues against Sweden
Credit: Quentin Guichard
- From our special correspondent in New York:
Mike Maignan: 6
A day without much excitement for Maignan, with a stop to warm his gloves after a shot from Isak (2nd) and a good run between the two Swedes on a tight cross (82nd). He waited for a real save, which allowed him to keep his clean sheet from Dieukeres’ strike until the 89th.
In short… In the city that never sleeps, he could still afford to take a good nap.
Jules Kounde: 5.5
Jules Kounde played a strange match for us. The Barcelona man tried his best to attack space, but missed his crosses with metronomic regularity. However, he found Mbappe before the Blues captain hit the post (31st). But most of all, he saved the house by robbing Dieukeres of the equalizing goal late in the first period.
Long story short… He plays with his limitations, but he got the job done on Tuesday.
Replaced by Malo Gusto
Dayot Upamecano: 7
The tone was taken up a notch, but with his immense aggression, he destroyed first Isak and then Gyokeres. He dealt well with the Scandinavians’ double threat, placing the duo at the Swedish corner post. Another good debut (8th) and always great confidence in what he releases. As in this authoritarian return in front of the Arsenal striker, who has already seen himself challenging Maignan (79th).
In short… Easy
William Saliba: 6
Difficult start to the match. At first he made a lot of mistakes against a very tense Dieukeres. Saliba even allowed him to maneuver too easily for one of Sweden’s rare invasions (3rd place). Then he quietly took over. Decisive intervention when Isak shot on goal (28th) after a late start.
In short… Győkeres will have nightmares.
Lucas Digne: 6
Finally a strong French left-back. Opposite Elanga there was a customer. But Tink answered authoritatively. Wide presence in the air, which is not necessarily his specialty, and, above all, real vigilance at his post. Important in front of Gyökeres (67th place), he even allowed himself a hit to wake everyone up.
In short… He is the holder.
He was replaced by Theo Hernandez (78th place).
Aurélien Tshuameni: 6.5
Like Saliba, the Madrilenian started very timidly, with dangerous passes and made too many mistakes. More neutral than the others, he finished very strongly, saving a lot of balls, in particular the second goal, which he wisely passed to Olisa.
In short… A big increase in power.
Adrien Rabiot: 7.5
Sweden did not come to play chess, and it took the authoritarian Rabiot to move the cabinets from the north. The Milanese was impeccable in the fight and was decisive in the attack. He threw two pralines that could open the way (30th, 33rd), and as soon as he accelerated, something happened. His forecasts completely disorganized Sweden.
In short… Blues Tower. It will take its place on the New York skyline somewhere between the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.
Adrien Rabiot
Photo: Getty Images
Ousmane Dembele: 6
Less spectacular than Olise and Mbappe, less sharp than in the match against Norway, he, despite everything, allowed Sweden to stretch out in the first period. It was he who found Mbappe for the first score. A detail that turns the match around. More reserved in the second half, when the game went the other way.
In short… A decisive pass, after all.
Replaced by Desiree Douhet (74th).
Michael Olis: 9
We’ve rarely seen anything as beautiful and pure as his inverted scissors, and we’ll blame this left-wing post for the rest of our lives for ruining that dazzling moment. When he reaches this state of flow, he becomes a person who is no longer on the level of others. What to remember? His fantastic pass for Barcola scored the second goal and a second, even more exciting, for Mbappe. And then that shot that leads to the first corner, the countless times he single-handedly pushed Kounde into the box, or that rushing rush (63rd)? He is a special player and it is an honor to be able to spend this day so close to him. The only false note: his too long control (72nd) alone against the goalkeeper. It’s a shame because he started the affair again with a magic trick.
In short… Give him a whole hall in the Louvre. And the biggest one, of course.
Replaced by Ryan Cherki (85th).
Michael Olise
Photo: Getty Images
Bradley Barcola: 7
He opens the evening with a slalom between four Swedes and then throws a mine over the crossbar (19th place). Not always pure in passing and control, he makes the right decisions and calmly scores the Blues’ second goal. Very active, he ended his beautiful match by knocking out two Swedes with a body feint.
In short… Effect and realism.
Kylian Mbappe: 9
Where does it stop? It was he who, with a trick and a shot at the opponent’s goal, brought the match out of the deadlock (45th place). He first organized his team by broadcasting the game with their back to the goal. He then unhooked to gain speed. He throws Rabiot into the penalty area (30th), hits the post first before the promised land. His relationship with Olisa is the best thing that happened to the Blues. The third goal tells how this duo can win a third star. Here he is, the top scorer of the World Cup, second in history.
In short… All you have to do is bow.
He was replaced by Jean-Philippe Mateta (84th place).
Kylian Mbappe
Photo: Getty Images