Bradley Barcola answered on the pitch. Started on the left wing for France against Sweden (3-0) on Tuesday in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the PSG forward strengthened his case in the competition with Désiré Doué.
Chosen ahead of his Parisian teammate at kick-off, Barcola made the most of his chance. Available, sharp and dangerous, the former Lyon player especially made the difference just after half-time, allowing Les Bleus to take full control of the match.
Barcola Plays Down Talk of a Toxic Rivalry
This performance inevitably reignites the debate around France’s left wing. Between Barcola, 23, and Doué, 21, Didier Deschamps has two explosive profiles capable of making the difference in major games. But for Barcola, there is no toxic rivalry between the two players.
Speaking to beIN Sports, the French forward was keen to calm things down. “When Désiré says it is the media that pits us against each other, I think he has said it all. For me, every time I play with him, it is a real pleasure,” Barcola explained. The Parisian also highlighted the bond that already exists between them at club level: “We get along really well, he has given me a lot of assists at Paris Saint-Germain, here I don’t know yet,” he added with a smile, before stressing their complementarity: “We are able to play together very well, so it is great.”
Very happy to have started this knockout match, Barcola nevertheless refuses to focus only on his status. “Today, I was very happy to start. Whether I am a starter or a substitute, I always try to bring what I can to the team,” he continued. Against Sweden, the message was clear. Barcola made the most of his start, France cruised through, and the competition with Doué looks healthier than ever. For Didier Deschamps, it is above all excellent news: on the left wing, France have two weapons ready to cause damage.
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