Soccer
The blueprint that could bring France's World Cup dream crashing down
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The World Cup knockout round is in full swing, and it's already caused shockwaves throughout the tournament as both Germany and the Netherlands exit the competition.
The two European heavyweights suffered penalty shootout defeats to Paraguay and Morocco, respectively, but as eyebrow-raising as the results were, they came against two teams ranked as outsiders to triumph in North America.
France, however, are a very different matter. They step into the Round of 32 limelight on Tuesday, as they face Sweden and go into the tie ranked as the favourites to take the trophy.
But can the Swedes take some confidence in the upsets we've seen already and cause the ultimate shock of the tournament so far?
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Sweden so far
There's no doubt that Graham Potter's Sweden go into the clash with France as the underdogs, against a team many believe will take the trophy home.
The Swedes showed just how erratic a side they are in the group phase with a set of results that saw them trash a poor Tunisia team 5-1, lose to the Dutch by the same score and then take a credible point with Japan.
What to take from that? Well, there's no doubt they have firepower, but this is a team that can leak goals.
Potter went with a back three against the Netherlands and deployed a midblock, but it left the wide areas far too exposed and saw Ronaldo Koeman's team dominate, and the manager face heavy criticism.
That line-up was tweaked against Japan, where they gave away less space, but still saw Japan waste several good opportunities.
Now they face a French team, who, although they haven't really been tested as yet, have shown what they can do in flashes - and it can be devastating.
Carl Recine / Staff
Can they frustrate France?
One thing Sweden can ill afford to do is give away space in the final third.
France's talented attack will revel in having the room in those quick transitions where any one of their array of choices can punish you. Especially when Potter's backline doesn't possess a great amount of pace themselves.
They should look to finesse what we've seen at his tournament from the well-organised nations, and try to frustrate Didier Deschamps' side.
Justin Setterfield / Staff
Low blocks have become a trend, but it could be what's required to stop France from finding those pockets of space to prevent them from the quick one-touch attacks they excel in.
It's hard work, it's not pretty, but it's something Potter has implemented on this team since taking over as manager. Normally a more possession-dominant manager, he's instead tried to make Sweden harder to beat and take advantage of counterattacks instead, utilising the speed of Anthony Elanga and the two strikers up top.
It's that approach that needs to be adopted and heightened if they want to keep France at bay as long as possible.
Game of their lives
One man who knows about succeeding with Sweden in international football is Stefan Schwarz, who was part of the 1994 squad that finished third in the US, and he believes that his countrymen need the performance of a lifetime to get through.
"France is, as we all know, a very strong side with fantastic players, and they're looking very very strong," he exclusively told DAZN News thanks to Betinia.
"They have a lot of power, a lot of athleticism, a lot of technical quality. It's very strong collectively, but they have the individual that can make a difference. So, Sweden has to have the best game they have ever had under Graham Potter and deliver a performance of their life.
"Hopefully, as well, France will come up to the standards that we know, and as we know in football, in one game off, everything is possible.
"So, the belief is very important, the attitude, how you enter, how you show good respect for the opponent, but a respect to come compete with us. We are competing with you, and we will give it our best shot.
"If you want to win over us, you need to have a great performance because we're not going to give in, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the young boys in the Swedish team to make the dream happen."
If they are to achieve that dream, as well as frustrating France, they'll need their top two to be at their very best, too.
(C)Getty Images
Double trouble
Up front, Sweden can boast the most expensive player in British football history and a Premier League title winner in Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres.
Both came into the tournament with some doubts, but showed in the opener that if they are given opportunities, they have timed their form and are ready to strike.
It gives Potter comfort knowing if they do get an opening, he has not one, but two deadly finishers who could be the difference.
"It's a good pair, and good individuals that are playing their career on the top level," Schwarz added.
"They have a few years to play in different clubs, but now they have much more responsibility in the big leagues.
"It's a good strike force. They haven't been playing that many games together, but the future is bright, and hopefully we can see their magic."
Magic might be want it takes. But if Potter can sprinkle some over this Sweden team and combine it with it with the hard work needed, then he and his team could leave the favourites spellbound.
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