France in New York, Sweden next in the Round of 16

Sweden await in the Round of 16

Your team landed in New York ahead of the knockout match against Sweden on Tuesday (1) (3). Fullbacks are the question. Ferland Mendy pushed high and scored against Norway, and the tactical alternation on the left could continue, RMC reports Lucas Digne may get the nod with Mendy dropping into a more defensive role (3). Sweden are organized and physical, and the winner faces either Brazil or Uruguay in the quarterfinals.

Guy Stéphan got his moment after the Norway rout

France beat Norway 4–1 on Friday, and the story after the whistle was in the dressing room. With Didier Deschamps suspended, assistant Guy Stéphan took charge on the touchline, and the players made sure he knew what it meant. Video from the locker room shows the squad applauding him and shouting "Bravo Guy" (2). It was the kind of moment that says the group is tight heading into the knockouts.

Canada go through, and Zidane talk is everywhere

Canada became the first team to qualify for the Round of 16 with a 1–0 win over South Africa overnight (1). Meanwhile, the noise around Zinédine Zidane and the France job is not fading. Ronaldo told RMC that Zidane has "the perfect profile" for the post, and the interview aired Sunday (4). Deschamps is under contract through the tournament, but the succession talk is real. Romário, speaking to RMC, called France "the best selection in the world" right now (6). And Daniel Riolo summed up the group stage in three words: "Les Bleus font peur", your team are scaring people (5).