Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson waits for the snap during fourth-quarter action against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 10, 2024, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, giving Minnesota its top playmaker on the field as the offense worked through a late-game sequence in a road matchup against an AFC opponent. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.
Remember how the Minnesota Vikings shipped Randy Moss out via trade after seven seasons about 20 years ago? One website claims that could happen again, but with Justin Jefferson. In the spirit of recent Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Garrett trades, two heavyweights leaving their existing franchises, CBS Sports nominated top-notch NFLers who could follow suit.
And per Garrett Podell, that’s Jefferson, among others.
Vikings’ Playoff Pressure Makes the Rumor Worth Tracking
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson gestures to fans while walking off the Lambeau Field turf after facing the Green Bay Packers on Sep. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Jefferson’s postgame moment captured a familiar NFC North scene, with Minnesota’s star receiver acknowledging the road crowd after another rivalry chapter. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
Podell: Jefferson Could Be Next to Demand Trade
On a list that included Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, among others, Jefferson got the nod as a player who could request a trade.
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Podell wrote, “Prediction on whether or not Jefferson will eventually ask for a trade: Yes, by the 2028 NFL offseason. The McCarthy-Murray competition will fail to bear long-term fruit at football’s most important position, leaving Jefferson dissatisfied entering the final season of his four-year, $140 million deal in 2028.”
“Out of guaranteed money, Jefferson will be looking for a new, multiyear deal at the age of 29, but he’ll aim to get his next batch of guaranteed cash elsewhere. Compensation to get the deal done: First-round pick and third-round pick. It’s a similar package to the one the Patriots used to acquire Brown from the Eagles, but instead of a fifth-round pick, Minnesota gets a third-round draft choice since Jefferson doesn’t come with the same attitude and fluidity questions.”
Jefferson has never wavered about his commitment to the Vikings, but a playoff-less season in 2026 might change his mind.
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“Likely landing spot: Las Vegas Raiders. It’s hard to project how the NFL landscape will look years down the road, but the Raiders make plenty of sense for a multitude of reasons,” Podell added.
“Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, will need a true WR1 to complement All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, and Las Vegas has shown a willingness to trade for a superstar wide receiver at the back of the end their 20s: The Raiders traded a first-round draft choice and a second-round draft choice to the Green Bay Packers in 2022 in exchange for a 29-year-old Davante Adams.”
If Vikings Don’t Make Playoffs or Win Playoff Game — Yep.
Trading Jefferson now would be premature. The real challenge lies nine months ahead. Should the Vikings miss the playoffs again in 2026, the situation in Minnesota will become uncomfortable for all involved. While Jefferson is currently expressing loyalty, as most star players do, that patience typically wanes if the team gives them a reason to reconsider.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reacts after a first-quarter play against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025, in Tottenham, United Kingdom. The international-stage snapshot showed Jefferson working through another Vikings drive overseas, with Minnesota’s offense chasing rhythm in front of a London crowd during a rare regular-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
That is where the Damian Lillard comparison in the NBA becomes relevant. Portland recognized the impending issue for years. Lillard remained loyal, often carrying mediocre teams, until he reached a point where continued loyalty no longer made sense. Such decisions are not sudden. But they do build and intensify.
For the Vikings, the crux of the issue is their quarterback situation. Jefferson’s Minnesota requires one of its quarterbacks, Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy, to elevate the offense to a competitive level.
McCarthy previously had an opportunity, but his efficiency metrics were poor, compounded by injuries. That paved the way for Murray. If Murray underperforms, discussions about Jefferson’s future will intensify rapidly.
The Would-Be Trade Haul for Jefferson
If Jefferson posts Jeffersonian numbers in 2026 while Minnesota misses the postseason or gets blown out in the first round, the playmaker will almost certainly fetch a 1st-Rounder via trade — if it comes to that.
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The Philadelphia Eagles were able to squeeze a 1st-Rounder and 5th-Rounder out of the New England Patriots this offseason for Brown. There’s no reason to believe Jefferson would be less. In fact, Minnesota might charge extra juice because Jefferson is a better football player than Brown.
The safest price from a summer of 2026 outlook is Jefferson would probably be a 1st- and 3rd-Rounder. Twenty-one years ago, the aforementioned Moss fetched a 1st-Rounder (Troy Williamson), a player (Napoleon Harris), and a 7th-Rounder.
All Up to O’Connell
Whether Jefferson is traded anytime soon rests squarely on Kevin O’Connell’s shoulders. The Podell theory will not come to fruition if the Vikings make an impressive playoff run this season. All Jefferson wants is to win, which likely translates to the first postseason triumph of his career. It’s a reasonable ask. The last time Minnesota won a playoff game? Six years ago — the 2019 stunner down in New Orleans when Minnesota walked off the Saints courtesy of Kirk Cousins and Kyle Rudolph. The Vikings drafted Jefferson three months after that moment.
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The Athletic senior NFL insider Dianna Russini interviews Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell during training camp in Eagan, Minnesota, on Aug. 15, 2025. Their conversation covered O’Connell’s Coach of the Year season and Minnesota’s roster outlook, with the franchise’s quarterback plan driving much of the broader Vikings discussion that summer in Eagan. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
O’Connell must get Jefferson a playoff win to keep him satisfied.
Otherwise, Jefferson could ask for a trade in the 2027 offseason, and no one would fault him for it. It’s why signing Murray in free agency was so crucial — to prove to Jefferson that the franchise is not content with 9-8 seasons that don’t net playoff berths. They mean business.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
“We will always be grateful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020, under the most difficult circumstances imaginable, and the countless records he broke in purple and gold.
“We wish him the best in his future, both on and off the court. He will always be a cherished member of the Lakers family.”
James responded on social media, writing, “No, THANK YOU!”
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He said it was “truly a honor” to wear the purple and gold while trying to continue “the greatness & legacies that came before me!”
“Hope I made a few proud during my stint,” he added.
James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds this season with the Lakers. The 22-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion is the all-time leader in games (1,622) and points (43,440).
He was selected with the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, where he spent seven seasons before announcing during a live TV special titled ‘The Decision’ that he was leaving for the Miami Heat.
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James then returned to Cleveland and in 2016 rallied the team from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals to stun Golden State and make good on his promise to deliver the Cavaliers their first championship.
He helped the Lakers win the NBA title in 2020, nine months after legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash.
Ecuador’s football federation has lodged a complaint with World Cup organisers after local fans gathered outside the team’s hotel ahead of their last-32 match against co-hosts Mexico, saying the incident violated fair play principles. According to local media, around 1,000 Mexican supporters staged a late-night “serenade” outside Ecuador’s hotel in Mexico City on Monday, using noisemakers, pots, and buckets while singing the Mexican folk song “Cielito Lindo.” Police later intervened and dispersed the crowd.
While it was a largely dominant performance, ‘Boots’ did encounter the odd moment of bother, particularly when he seemed troubled by a third-round right hand.
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To his credit, though, the flashy stylist was able to recover and eventually halted his man with a third knockdown.
If he were to face Fundora or Ortiz, however, then Crawford is not so sure ‘Boots’ would be let off the hook the way he was against Zayas.
Sharing his thoughts on The PorterWay Podcast, the former three-division undisputed champion was quick to contextualise the American’s triumph over Zayas.
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“I don’t think no one picked Xander to win. I love Xander, and he’s a great kid, but I think we’re overhyping [Ennis’] victory.
“I think it’s going to be different when he comes up against a Fundora or a Vergil because, if one of those guys gets him hurt like Xander did, I don’t think it’s going to be the same outcome.”
Indeed, it must be said that Fundora and Ortiz are bigger punchers than Zayas, who is known more for his footwork and ring IQ.
In that same breath, though, it is fair to add the caveat that neither the WBC champion nor Ortiz has proven their power against a fighter like Ennis.
Crawford has previously backed Fundora to beat ‘Boots’, though that was before his performance against Zayas.
On Tuesday, Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas spoke to reporters for the first time since being suspended for one game after making contact with Caitlin Clark’s throat in a game against the Indiana Fever last Wednesday. The six-time All-Star did not hold back, especially when addressing the harassment and death threats she and her teammates have faced in the wake of the incident, which spawned a nearly week-long uproar on social media and beyond over how the WNBA treats Clark.
“Crazy, you know, the play in the game, being suspended, just the whole narrative that’s being painted out there, it’s unfortunate that it’s come to this over basketball,” Thomas said, when asked about her experience over the past week. “A lot of us, myself included, didn’t even know the play took place until after the game, and now we’re being painted as thugs, and there’s death threats out on us. So it’s really unacceptable. It is something that needs to change in this league, and I’m just really sick and tired of it.”
Thomas was particularly pointed about her criticism of WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
“Honestly, I didn’t even know I was being suspended until 10 minutes before it was put on social media. We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy,” Thomas said. “It’s no surprise; you can see what’s being said on social media, and yeah, I mean it’s unfortunate, but as usual, she remains silent, and that’s unfortunate when our lives are being threatened.”
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“The WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement on Tuesday issued after Thomas’s comments were reported. “The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league’s top priority. We are aware of Alyssa Thomas’ comments, and what she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players.”
Engelbert exchanged text messages with Thomas last week and instructed WNBA security to get in touch with Mercury security after the incident, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
The incident occurred in the first half of the Mercury’s 111-109 win at Gainbridge Field House on June 24. It was the second time in 48 hours the two teams faced off in Indianapolis, and after the first testy affair won by the Fever, it wasn’t a surprise that the second meeting was extremely physical and, at times, heated. There were multiple controversial non-calls on players defending Clark, who left the game due to a back injury in the second half. But the play that got the most attention on social media happened during a loose-ball scramble in the second quarter, when Clark got caught on the bottom of the pile and Thomas put her fist on Clark’s throat as she went to get up.
There was no foul called on the play, and it didn’t get much attention on the court. But when slow-motion and freeze-frame footage of the play went viral online, it created a firestorm of outrage. The day after the game, the WNBA retroactively issued Thomas a Flagrant 2 and one-game suspension.
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Thomas said that her contact with Clark’s throat was an “accident” and that she didn’t even realize she had done it during the game. Still, she did not argue about the suspension itself, saying, “If that’s what they felt was necessary in that moment, then so be it.”
Her biggest concern was the league’s failure to stand up for players or protect them in the face of a torrent of abuse, some of which involved threatening players’ children and racist slurs.
“I think the biggest thing is it’s just about our safety. We’re so concerned about the safety on the floor, but time and time again we’re having people threatening our lives, leaking addresses out there, putting crazy pictures that have nothing to do with basketball,” Thomas said.
She said the abuse she has experienced over the past week has been far worse than anything she’s experienced in her WNBA career, including in 2024 when Thomas’ Connecticut Sun played Clark and the Fever in the playoffs.
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“You know, our families are being threatened, kids are being threatened, people are sending racial slurs and all types of stuff. There’s a difference between trolling, and there’s a difference between hatred and the hatred that we’re experiencing over a play that honestly was a complete accident, nobody even knew it happened,” she said. “It’s just unfortunate, but the league has to do better in this instance.”
Norway booked their place in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, with striker Erling Haaland scoring a late winner in Dallas.
Antonio Nusa gave Norway the lead in the 39th minute with a brilliant curling effort before Ivory Coast fought back through substitute Amad Diallo in the second half. However, Haaland struck in the 86th minute to seal a historic victory for the Scandinavians.
The result ended Ivory Coast’s impressive World Cup campaign and secured Norway’s first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout match.
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Lessons from the Defeat
1. Big Players Must Start Big Games
One of the biggest talking points from the match was Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae’s decision to leave Amad Diallo on the bench.
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The Manchester United winger changed the game immediately after coming on, scoring a superb equaliser and creating problems for the Norwegian defence. His performance showed that creative and influential players must start in crucial matches.
2. Defensive Approach Can Backfire
Ivory Coast lined up in a cautious 4-1-4-1 formation, seemingly determined not to concede early. However, the approach limited their attacking threat and allowed Norway to control large parts of the game.
By the time the Elephants became more adventurous, they were already behind and chasing the match.
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3. Quality Finishing Decides Knockout Matches
Norway did not create many chances, but they were clinical when opportunities came their way.
Nusa’s stunning opener and Haaland’s late finish highlighted the importance of taking chances in knockout football. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, struggled to make the most of their opportunities.
4. Star Strikers Always Find a Way
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Haaland had been largely quiet throughout the game, but great strikers often need only one chance.
The Manchester City forward was perfectly positioned to convert Patrick Berg’s cut-back and score his 13th consecutive goal in competitive internationals for Norway.
His winning goal once again proved why elite strikers can change games in an instant.
5. Ivory Coast Have a Bright Future
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Despite the defeat, there were several positives for the African side.
Teenage sensation Yan Diomande gained valuable experience, while Amad continued to show his quality on the biggest stage. The Elephants also reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
The tournament has provided a strong foundation for the future, and the team can build on this experience ahead of upcoming competitions.
Norway Set for Brazil Test
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The victory sends Norway into a last-16 clash against five-time world champions Brazil after the South Americans came from behind to defeat Japan.
With Haaland, captain Martin Odegaard and the impressive Antonio Nusa in fine form, Norway will believe they can continue their dream World Cup run.
For Ivory Coast, the defeat hurts, but the lessons from Dallas could help shape a stronger and more experienced team for the future.
Tottenham have won the race to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham after submitting an £85million bid to sign the player, a fee Man Utd wouldn’t match.
Manchester United refused to match Tottenham’s £85million bid for Mateus Fernandes after judging it outside of their valuation of West Ham’s 21-year-old midfielder.
United have pushed hard to sign Fernandes, who emerged as their top midfield target after they pulled out of the race to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, but it is Spurs who look set to land the one-cap Portugal international.
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United were unwilling to match that bid, which meets West Ham’s asking price for a player they signed from Southampton for £38million last season.
Old Trafford sources also claimed that it wasn’t clear which club Fernandes wanted to sign for this summer. United made it a key cornerstone of their transfer strategy last year to focus on players who wanted to play for the club, but insiders claim it wasn’t clear throughout the process whether that was the case with Fernandes.
The decision not to rival Tottenham for the signature of Fernandes means United have now missed out on both of their leading midfield targets this summer. Manchester City have agreed a £116million deal to sign Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
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Despite the latest setback to their plans to reshape the midfield this summer, United remain confident they will strengthen in that area and take encouragement from their transfer record last summer, when they remained patient to land Senne Lammens, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for a spend of around £235million.
They have already agreed a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta for an initial £35million this summer, with the Brazilian midfielder set to complete his move once his country are out of the World Cup.
United will now turn their attention to other midfield targets. They have an interest in Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and continue to admire Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Former New York Knicks player Jeremy Lin poses prior to Game Three between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City. AFP
Jeremy Lin has played all over the world and, unsurprisingly, every team he has faced has left a lasting impression.
One of those came in 2024 when Lin suited up for the New Taipei Kings in the East Asia Super League. During that campaign, he went up against the Meralco Bolts and put on a show against the PBA club.
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And if there was one thing that stayed with him after that matchup, it was the Bolts’ speed.
“They have tremendous speed, they’re very quick laterally and that’s something that sticks out to me with Filipino players and teams,” he said during the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Invitational at OCBC Arena in Singapore on Sunday.
“A lot of them are extremely athletic. They can jump high and move quickly, and that stuck out to me as well.”
In that 2024 meeting, Lin powered New Taipei to an 89-77 victory over Meralco at PhilSports Arena.
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Despite the Bolts’ speed and athleticism, Lin finished with a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds.
The 2019 NBA champion, however, had more to say about Filipino basketball than just the talent on the floor.
The man who sparked “Linsanity” also praised Filipinos’ passion for the game and the respect they show their opponents.
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“The Filipino squads in the PBA are, first off, very respectful. They play hard, they play to win,” he said.
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A current WWE star recently spoke about his early days on the main roster, and figuring out that Vince McMahon was actually pushing him from behind the scenes.
Austin Theory had started off in NXT, moving to the main roster in 2021. Over the next few months, Vince McMahon was shown giving him advice and taking an active interest in his run. Theory eventually won the Money in the Bank contract, although he wasn’t able to win a title with it.
Thanks for the submission!
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When Austin Theory became the WWE United States Champion, he apparently understood that Vince McMahon was pushing him quickly up the ranks. Speaking on the ImPAULsive podcast, Theory stated:
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“When I got to the main roster, I didn’t even kind of realized like Vince (McMahon) was like pushing me and behind me until like I remember when I won the US title and I became the youngest US champ. But at the end of that match, Vince wanted all the heels to come out, hold me up in the ring, and then as I left the ring, he came out at the end on the stage and held my arm. And I think in that moment, I was like, whoa, like something’s going on here. Like we’re going places, you know?”
You can check out his comments below:
Austin Theory has previously explained why he joined The Vision in WWE
According to Austin Theory, joining The Vision was a calculated step.
Speaking on RAW Recap last year, the WWE star had stated:
“Well, to me, it’s about the future, and that’s exactly what The Vision is about. And it’s about taking, and that’s what I’m all about now. I’m not waiting for opportunities, and not looking at my past and saying, ‘Hey, I beat John Cena. Give me something. Somebody hand me another opportunity.’ No, we just take, and that’s how it feels now being in The Vision, just going to take everything,” Theory said.
While Theory has achieved quite a lot in The Vision, he currently does not hold any titles. What is planned for him next is something fans will have to stay tuned to know.
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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.
They 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.
Denied time and again by Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, Olise got everything but the goal; arguably he was inches from scoring the best of the tournament with an acrobatic volley, but he showed surgical precision with defence-piercing passes. Maybe no one in the global game does it better these days. There was something fitting that France’s third goal came from a glorious Olise pass and a trademark Mbappe finish. It is a formula that could carry them to glory at the MetLife.
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.
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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.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice to inspire another victory for France (Getty)
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.
It was sandwiched by Mbappe’s latest double as a roadrunner left a record-breaker in the dust behind him. In the space of eight days, Miroslav Klose has gone from being the highest ever scorer in World Cups to occupying third place. He was demoted by Mbappe, whose second of the day was his 18th in all, his sixth of the tournament, his fourth in New York. He may be France’s greatest gift to the Big Apple since the Statue of Liberty.
He is now only one behind Lionel Messi in the all-time standings, level with the Argentina captain in a battle for the Golden Boot that also includes Erling Haaland. Olise, meanwhile, already has five assists which, in a historical context, puts him only one adrift of Pele.
Bradley Barcola scored France’s second goal having been set up expertly by Michael Olise (Reuters)
Ousmane Dembele has four in the United States, all for Mbappe. The latest came just before the interval, from a quickly-taken corner, enabling Mbappe to whip and curl a shot in. Like the skipper’s second goal, it came from his preferred inside-left channel.
Mbappe may have been a contentious choice as captain by Deschamps but now he is the personification of this team. The first half consisted of two halves: Sweden were relatively comfortable in the first, overwhelmed in the second. As they discovered, there is something seductive about France when they up the pace. It is slick and quick, a team going through the gears. Sweden were the victims of a sleek, stylish assault.
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Initially, it seemed France were finding ways not to score. Mbappe had a goal disallowed for a narrow offside call and then shot against the near post. Olise’s bicycle kick rebounded off the other post, Dembele shooting wide from the rebound. Each of his hat-trick against Norway may have been a harder chance. Zetterstrom clawed a shot from Olise past the post. Seconds later, however, the Derby goalkeeper was beaten by Mbappe.
Olise set up two of the goals, making it five assists for the tournament, as France swept Sweden aside (Getty)
After 15 shots before the break, France delivered a couple of classy goals after it. Olise supplied a penetrative pass, the unfortunate Gustaf Lagerbielke ending up on his knees in his attempt to cut it out, before Barcola’s first-time finish. Then, from a spectacular team move, Olise found Mbappe; he found the Swedish net.
Appropriately, Mbappe and Olise exited the game together, both taken off to a deafening ovation. Deschamps’ version of taking pity on Sweden was to introduce Rayan Cherki and Jean-Philippe Mateta. The beleaguered, battered Swedes may reflect on the chance Elliot Stroud blasted wide on the stroke of half-time. In reality, though, they were just outclassed.
And so, after the cull of the European superpowers saw Germany and the Netherlands fall, France surged on. They will take the tricolore to Philadelphia for Independence Day, though not for the expected neighbourly clash with Julian Nagelsmann’s team. Although maybe Germany’s elimination by Paraguay was just a cunning piece of planning to avoid being embarrassed by Mbappe and Olise.
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