Before the match, Viktor Gyokeres stated Sweden would need to be almost perfect to beat France. After the match, Potter said that even perfection from his side would not have been enough. During the match, many of the issues Flashscore outlined after the 1-1 draw with Japan were on display again, and were punished more harshly by superior opposition.
Defensive issues limit attacking ability
By limiting the threat from out wide used time and time again by the Netherlands, Sweden left gaps in the centre of defence that led to Japan's only goal. Failing to plug those gaps against France led to Didier Deschamps' side waltzing through the heart of the Blagult back line with alarming ease. A team coming into the match on a run of 14 games without a clean sheet were never likely to end it against Les Bleus, but Sweden seldom made their back five look remotely tight.
The Swedish attack - the only part of their line-up which was the envy of other teams coming into these finals - had also become less threatening as the tournament went on. Despite a marginal xG increase from 0.64 against Japan to 0.7 against France, Sweden again had fewer efforts, and fewer on target than against the Japanese.
Given that France's only clean sheet in their previous eight outings came against Iraq, Sweden were more than capable of causing them problems. But instead of chasing the game in an open second half, Sweden appeared to be in "damage limitation" mode, not willing to commit too many bodies forward, sitting back and creating a non-existent midfield and thus an isolated attack. Two of Sweden's three efforts on goal came in the second half, but both were in the 89th minute or beyond, once the contest was already over.
What next for Potter's Sweden?
Extending Potter's contract to 2030 looked a real gamble ahead of the playoffs in March, and a real stroke of genius afterwards. When it came to tactics and selection, the jury is still out on how whether that genius extends to the manager himself.
The injury to Isak Hien meant the experiment of Victor Lindelof in midfield had to be cut short. Alexander Isak and Gyokeres both contributed in front of goal when playing together, but were Sweden as dangerous in North America as they were with just Gyokeres up front in the playoffs? Anthony Elanga merited a start against France, but could he have been more useful off the bench with Sweden needing new attacking energy? The decision to take Taha Ali can be justified, but so can the frustrations of those who wanted Williot Swedberg and Roony Bardghji.
The belief and optimism off the pitch the coach has rebuilt from the previous regime is not to be taken lightly, but sooner rather than later, a cut and dry Potter decision against a side at Sweden's level will come along that will swing public opinion for or against the Englishman. A defensive re-jig is clearly needed, while that belief and optimism needs to be replicated on the pitch when chasing the game, no matter the calibre of opposition.
Arguably, none of the four sides they faced in North America were at said level, but that is not the case in the team's next six matches, as the UEFA Nations League (UNL) begins in September.
A crucial campaign awaits
Winning a weak UNL League C group was what handed Sweden a World Cup playoff spot in the first place, but not only will Sweden never have such a strange route to a tournament again. Coming into a UNL League B campaign, they must prove not only that they belong at this level, but they are continuing to progress under Potter.
The September and October international windows being compressed into one, two-week period will give Potter time to really imprint his style of play, rather than take things on a game-by-game basis, as has been the case for all his competitive matches so far.
Blagult begin with two home games, against Romania and then a Poland side looking for revenge. Trips to Bosnia & Herzegovina and Romania follow, after which, Sweden will hope to have enough points on the board to contest for promotion when they host Bosnia and travel to Poland in November.
Relegation back to League C may force a few wry smiles and dreams of another back door opening to the 2030 World Cup, but in that case it likely would not be Potter leading them into the crunch games.