Sweden reach knockout stage, France await as Hien injury hits hard
Sweden through to the knockout stage
Sweden are into the round of 32. The scenes on SVT were described as sensational as your team secured progression from Group E (1). The relief is real after that 5–1 collapse against the Netherlands.
France waiting on Tuesday
The draw is set. Sweden face France in the round of 32 on Tuesday, 30 June, at 23:00 (3) (5). Didier Deschamps is back with the French squad after returning to the US, and preparation has begun in earnest (2) (7) (9).
Isak Hien injury, "Heartbreaking"
A major blow. Swedish defender Isak Hien has suffered an injury and his status for the France match is in serious doubt. Blågult called it "hjärtskärande", heartbreaking (4). With the defensive frailties already exposed against the Netherlands, losing Hien leaves a back line that was already under scrutiny looking even more vulnerable (6).
Solbakken: Norway's reserves had nothing to do with Sweden
Ståle Solbakken came out swinging. Norway fielded a reserve team against France in the final group match, a decision that affected the group standings and Sweden's path. The Norwegian manager repeated it three times: "It has nothing to do with Sweden. It has nothing to do with Sweden. It has nothing to do with Sweden" (8).
Zlatan backs France, not your team
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, speaking ahead of the match, called France "the favorites for the World Cup" (11). Not exactly reassuring for Swedish supporters days before the biggest game of the summer.
Dembélé not in danger, says Riolo
French pundit Daniel Riolo weighed in on Ousmane Dembélé's form, dismissing concerns ahead of the Sweden clash: "Dembélé n'est pas en danger" (10). Three days out, the French camp is projecting calm.
Fan reactions
Swedish supporters online are caught between the euphoria of advancing and dread about what France might do to a shaky defense. The Hien injury news has only deepened the anxiety, with many pointing to that 5–1 Netherlands result as the warning sign. See the full discussion on Reddit
Sources
- 1. expressen.se — Scenerna i SVT var sensationella
- 2. expressen.se — Frankrikes glädjebesked inför Sverige-matchen
- 3. rmcsport.bfmtv.com — Coupe du monde : Le tableau complet des 16es de finale et le programme
- 4. aftonbladet.se — Blågult om Isak Hiens skada: ”Hjärtskärande”
- 5. sportsidioten.no — Frankrike – Sverige | 16-delsfinale Fotball VM 2026
- 6. midilibre.fr — Coupe du monde 2026 : défense fébrile, forfait d’un patron et doutes, les énormes failles de la Suède avant le choc face aux Bleus
- 7. aftonbladet.se — Didier Deschamps är tillbaka i USA
- 8. expressen.se — Norska brandtalet: ”Har inget med Sverige att göra”
- 9. ole.com.ar — Deschamps regresó a Estados Unidos y Francia ya piensa en Suecia
- 10. rmcsport.bfmtv.com — France-Suède (J-3) : "Dembélé n'est pas en danger" juge Riolo
- 11. rmcsport.bfmtv.com — Pas très rassurant pour les Suédois avant France-Suède: Zlatan Ibrahimovic est fou des Bleus, "les favoris pour la Coupe du monde"