The Kylian Mbappe magic that made France's bereaved coach Deschamps smile

Kylian Mbappe's first instinct after scoring for France was not to celebrate with the crowd, but to run to Didier Deschamps. The emotional moment came just four days after the France coach returned to the World Cup camp following his mother's funeral.

In Short

• France beat Sweden 3-0 to advance to the FIFA World Cup last 16
• Mbappe sprinted to hug Didier Deschamps after opening the scoring against Sweden
• Deschamps had rejoined France camp four days after attending his mother’s funeral

Kylian Mbappe did not celebrate France’s opening goal by turning to the crowd or pointing to his name. He ran to his coach instead - Didier Deschamps.

After putting France ahead in their Round of 32 clash against Sweden on Tuesday, Mbappe sprinted to the touchline and embraced his coach in an emotional moment that quickly became one of the defining images of the FIFA World Cup so far.

Deschamps had only rejoined the France camp four days earlier after returning home to attend his mother’s funeral. As Mbappe wrapped his arms around the coach, the rest of the France players followed, surrounding Deschamps in a collective embrace that reflected a side rallying around its manager as much as celebrating a goal.

France went on to beat Sweden 3-0 and book their place in the last 16, but the first goal - and what followed - became the defining moment of the night.

The celebration also underlined the strong relationship between Deschamps and his captain.

France’s 1998 World Cup triumph was built around the connection between coach Aime Jacquet and his on-field leader Deschamps. Nearly three decades later, Deschamps appears to have found a similar figure in Mbappe.

The Real Madrid striker has arrived at this World Cup in exceptional form, scoring six goals and providing two assists, but his influence has stretched beyond numbers.

THIS IS FRANCE'S DNA: MBAPPE

After the game, Mbappe explained that the celebration was instinctive.

“The tribute to Didier Deschamps? That’s the DNA of this group. We’re all in this together,” Mbappe said.

“The coach has gone through something that, unfortunately, everyone experiences at some point in life. It’s incredibly difficult. He’ll never be alone with us. We’ll support him.”

Mbappe later shifted attention back to the tournament itself.

“I’m fully aware of what’s at stake, where I am and what I have to do. The team knows what it has to do here as well,” he said.

Deschamps took Mbappe off in the 84th minute with the result all but sealed against Sweden. As Mbappe walked off the pitch, Deschamps bowed towards his captain - a gesture that drew a loud ovation from the stadium.

France’s next assignment is against Paraguay, who knocked Germany out in the Round of 32. The match will be played on Sunday, July 5 at 2:30 am IST.

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