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Mbappé becomes leader of France’s collective under Deschamps’ regime of trust
Les Bleus’ thrilling front four is built on the spirit the head coach has fostered in his squad, allowing them to be both secure and adventurousIt was a striking image, the picture that best captured France’s World Cup campaign to this point. Not the one that caught Michael Olise in full flight as he executed a perfect bicycle kick that only sprang ungratefully off a Swedish post. Nor the one of the squad posing together on their private jet, turqoise hoods drawn tight to their chins. Instead it was the one of the hug, first between Kylian Mbappé and Didier Deschamps, and then with the rest of the squad too, as they celebrated the opening goal of their 3-0 last 32 victory over Sweden in a purposeful manner.Deschamps said later that Mbappé’s dash towards the technical area had “touched me deeply”. The head coach had briefly stepped back from his duties the week before to grieve the loss of his mother. Mbappé and the squad had wanted publicly to show how much he meant to them. “The group is united,” Deschamps said. “They delivered when I was away and now I’m back, they know I’m here 100%. Team spirit doesn’t win you matches but it can help you lose them. The collective strength is above everything and Kylian is the best shining example.” Continue reading...
Golden Boot race: Kane keeping pace with Messi, Mbappe and Haaland
Lionel Messi has retaken the lead in the race for the Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup.
World Cup 2026 power rankings: undisputed No 1, co-hosts surge and giants fall
We assess the standing of the nations who played in the tournament’s last 32 before the next round of games beginsLes Bleus look unstoppable – all six of our judges ranked them No 1. Sweden did their best to cope with the French front four but were blown away by the slickest operation in town. Even when an opponent is feeling comfortable, Michael Olise or Kylian Mbappé can produce genius without notice, ripping apart the best-organised defences. “I did say that I wanted to enjoy this World Cup to the fullest,” Mbappé told reporters after the Sweden game. It is hard to imagine the fun stopping any time soon. Continue reading...
Manzambi dazzles as Switzerland cruise into last 16 with win over Algeria
No wonder Newcastle United are working overtime to wrap up a deal for Johan Manzambi. The secret, if indeed it ever existed, is well and truly out when it comes to the 20-year-old Freiburg forward who destroyed the Algeria defence to tee up Breel Embolo for Switzerland’s opener in an ominously comfortable victory to reach the last 16. Granit Xhaka, as any good captain would, has tried to keep a lid on soaring expectations, but doing so just got that bit tougher after the Swiss recorded victory in a knockout game at the World Cup for the first time since 1938.“He’s had a great tournament, keep your eyes on him,” came the pre-match message from the stadium announcer accompanying images of Manzambi limbering up on the giant cuboid screen dangling from the roof. The same display detailed Manzambi as sixth in Fifa’s jazzy power rankings for attacking, behind a star-studded cast led by Kylian Mbappé and including Michael Olise, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. Algeria, however, did not heed the warning. Continue reading...
Football Daily | France’s fab front four make them incomparable World Cup favourites
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!We can all agree the Geopolitics World Cup has gone on far too long, so Football Daily is pleased to announce it is over. It monopolises everyone’s time, changes sleeping, eating and drinking patterns, leaving everyone tired and poorer. No one wants to stay up for further 2am BST kick-offs or attempt to watch a couple of games a day. Frankly, the process has been completely futile since the first ball was kicked.Please hand over the trophy to France and save some carbon emissions (and the embarrassment of other teams). Just one of Mbappé, Olise, Dembélé, Rabiot or Barcola would be enough for most teams. They are currently the Duplantis of the football world, ironic given their last victim was Sweden” – Krishna Moorthy.Responding to Antony Crossley’s letter, as an American, I agree there are important reasons to berate our country, but chocolate?! There are a large variety of high quality dark, organic, and fair-trade chocolates available here if one knows enough to avoid the corporate swill. You could berate America for its almost universally over-salted restaurant food but folk from a nation that exalts Heinz baked beans for breakfast (so disappointing!) should be careful about starting food fights. OK, I’m tuning back into Telemundo now. Cheers” – Steve Plever.Please don’t turn Football Daily into a poetry forum (yesterday’s letters). I find the old jokes and football ‘analysis’ difficult enough as it is, OK?” – Z Snook.Stop the poetry” – Jon Millard (and 1,056 others).This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...