Kylian Mbappé scored twice as France defeated Sweden 3-0 on Tuesday, moving level with Lionel Messi as the top scorer of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with six goals and booking a round of 16 clash against Paraguay, reports AP.
Mbappé produced his third two-goal performance of the tournament and also became the highest scorer in World Cup knockout-stage history, helping France continue its impressive run.
“I personally haven't seen a better team,” Sweden coach Graham Potter said. “The quality they have all over the pitch and then the options for them off the bench are very, very strong, so they've got as good a chance as anybody, I would suggest.”
France’s 27-year-old captain opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time with a superb individual effort before adding his second goal in the 74th minute.
His six-goal tally now matches Messi’s tournament-leading total, while his overall World Cup record stands at 18 goals in 18 matches, one behind Messi’s career record of 19 in 29 World Cup appearances.
Bradley Barcola added France’s second goal in the 53rd minute as Les Bleus became the first team to score at least three goals in five consecutive World Cup matches.
“I'm very aware of who I am, how I play, what I shall do, but it's not just about me,” Mbappé said through a translator. “The entire team is aware of what should be done. It is a new competition that has started today. We did play well, but we were timid. We could have done better at the beginning.”
Mbappé’s 10 knockout-stage World Cup goals are now two more than the previous record jointly held by Brazilian legends Leonidas and Ronaldo.
France coach Didier Deschamps, who returned to the team after attending his mother's funeral in France, bowed to Mbappé when the forward came off in the 85th minute.
“We're on a mission — so am I with them,” Deschamps said through a translator.
France has now outscored its opponents 13-2 in the tournament. Michael Olise has also emerged as one of the standout performers, registering five assists, the most by a player at a World Cup since Germany’s Thomas Hassler recorded five in 1994.
“They are skilled at knowing when to change the pace and increase it, when to possess the ball, went to fall back,” Sweden captain Victor Lindelöf said through a translator.
France, aiming to reach its third successive World Cup final, will face Paraguay on July 4 in Philadelphia. The winner will advance to a quarterfinal against either Canada or Morocco on July 9 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Played in hot and humid conditions with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), France dominated throughout the match, outshooting Sweden 25-7, including a 15-3 advantage in the first half.
Mbappé struck the post in the 32nd minute before Michael Olise also hit the woodwork with an acrobatic bicycle kick four minutes later.
“I said I think we needed a couple of miracles. We had a couple, but we ran out of them,” Potter said. “So we needed a few more.”
France finally broke the deadlock just before halftime after goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström pushed Olise’s shot behind for a corner.
From the resulting move, Ousmane Dembélé found Mbappé near the byline. The striker beat Viktor Gyökeres with a clever step before firing into the far corner from close range.
Mbappé celebrated by embracing Deschamps after the goal.
“He knows that he will never be alone with us, and we will support him,” Mbappé said.
France doubled its lead after Gustaf Lagerbielke lost possession. Aurélien Tchouaméni passed to Olise, who nutmegged Lagerbielke before Barcola calmly finished.
Mbappé completed the scoring after a flowing attacking move involving Barcola and Olise, racing into the penalty area before placing his shot beyond Zetterström for his 62nd international goal.
“We continue to deliver great performances,” Mbappé said.
The match attracted a crowd of 80,663, taking total attendance for the expanded 104-match tournament beyond five million spectators.
“I have no complaints to the players whatsoever. I said to them after the game I don't think it's a disgrace to lose to France,” Potter said. “For us it's about using this as a foundation to go forward and to be proud of what we've done so far.”
Speaking after the final whistle, Mbappé joked that his immediate priority was not the next match.
“I'm looking forward to the changing room and the AC,” he said.
MSH
