The France that became Paraguay’s “problem” in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 keeps impressing.
There was an Mbappé record, Olise taking over the lead in a stat, Deschamps making history and… much more.
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Check out below some of the feats achieved after the celebrated qualification against Sweden.
Coach with the MOST wins
Didier Deschamps returned to lead France after the death of his mother.
And he saw his players secure his 17th win in World Cup history as a coach.
He had been tied with Helmut Schön, champion with Germany in 1974, runner-up in 1966 and third place in 1970.
Felipão (14), Zagallo (13) and Joachim Löw (12) come next.
⚽ Mbappé, the KING of the knockout stage
He had the same eight goals as Leônidas da Silva and Ronaldo Fenômeno.
He scored twice right away to become the outright top scorer in World Cup knockout matches.
📸 ANGELA WEISS – AFP or licensors
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Ten goals scored in nine matches.
He reached 18 overall — leaving him just one behind Messi.
And he matched the Argentine’s six in the current edition.
He will now be “rooting against” his former PSG teammate, who will still play in the round of 32.
Olise, ‘Absolute Cinema,’ overtakes Brazilian
Bruno Guimarães was the player with the most assists at this World Cup.
But he was overtaken by France’s No. 11.
Olise — who nearly scored a stunning bicycle kick — first set up Barcola with ease and then also assisted Mbappé.
He now has five decisive passes. Compared to four for the Brazilian midfielder.
Something that led Bayern to “make a statement” by praising their star.
😳 NOBODY has scored more goals
Didier Deschamps is at his fourth World Cup in charge of France.
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And no other national team has scored as many goals since the 2014 edition as Les Bleus.
There have been 53 goals since the World Cup played in Brazil.
SIXTEEN more than Germany and Argentina (37).
Brazil and the Netherlands come next (36).
After falling in the quarter-finals in 2014 (to eventual champions Germany), France played all seven possible matches in 2018 and 2022. And they have four so far in the current World Cup.
🤔 A third straight final in sight?
Only two national teams have reached three consecutive World Cup finals.
Germany lost to Italy in 1982, to Argentina in 1986 and bounced back by lifting the trophy in 1990 with revenge against the Albiceleste.
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And Brazil beat Italy in 1994, lost to France in 1998 and, four years later, won their fifth title by defeating Germany.
France’s “mission” is to reach a third straight final after the 2018 title against Croatia and the runner-up finish in 2022 against Argentina.
📸 Matthias Hangst – 2018 Getty Images
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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