Mbappé breaks World Cup knockout scoring record as France cruise past Sweden into last 16

• Kylian Mbappé scored twice to become the highest scorer in men’s World Cup knockout history as France beat Sweden 3-0.
• Bradley Barcola also found the net while Michael Olise starred with two assists in a dominant French display.
• France will face Paraguay in the round of 16 after recording their biggest World Cup knockout victory since the 1998 final.

France powered into the World Cup round of 16 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday, as Kylian Mbappé broke the record for the most goals in men’s World Cup knockout matches and moved within one strike of Lionel Messi’s all-time tournament scoring mark.

Mbappé struck either side of halftime at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Bradley Barcola also scoring as Didier Deschamps’ side produced their most convincing performance of the tournament. The result set up a last-16 meeting with Paraguay after France recorded their biggest World Cup knockout win since defeating Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 final.

“I’m very aware of who I am, how I play and what I have to do, but it’s not just about me,” Mbappé said. “The entire team knows what needs to be done. This is a new competition now. We played well, although we could have started better.”

Mbappé opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time after beating his defender with quick footwork before finishing across goal. The strike took his tally to nine World Cup knockout goals, moving him clear of Brazilian legends Leonidas and Ronaldo to set a new tournament record.

The Real Madrid forward immediately celebrated with Deschamps, who returned to the touchline after missing France’s final group game following the death of his mother.

“He knows he will never be alone because we will always support him,” Mbappé said.

France doubled their advantage early in the second half when Barcola finished after excellent work from Michael Olise, before Mbappé added his second in the 74th minute by calmly converting Olise’s perfectly weighted through ball.

The brace moved Mbappé onto six goals at this year’s tournament, drawing level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. His 18th World Cup goal also left him just one behind Messi’s all-time men’s tournament record despite having played 11 fewer World Cup matches.

Deschamps applauded his star forward as he was substituted late in the game.

“We’re on a mission, and so am I with this team,” Deschamps said.

Olise continued his outstanding tournament by registering two assists to take his total to five, the highest by any player at a men’s World Cup since Thomas Hässler recorded five for Germany in 1994.

“He does everything on the pitch,” Barcola said. “He works hard defensively, creates chances, plays incredible passes and makes things happen. He’s a genius.”

France controlled the contest from the opening whistle despite challenging conditions in New Jersey, where temperatures reached 32 degrees Celsius at kickoff.

Mbappé struck the post in the first half before Olise also rattled the woodwork with an acrobatic overhead kick as France repeatedly threatened the Swedish defence.

Sweden struggled to cope with France’s attacking movement throughout the afternoon, with the 2018 quarterfinalists managing just seven shots compared to France’s 25.

France will now meet Paraguay in Philadelphia on July 4 for a place in the quarterfinals, where either Canada or Morocco await.

Sweden captain Victor Lindelöf acknowledged the gulf between the two sides after the final whistle.

“If we look at where we were not so long ago, we’re here and we’ve played in the World Cup,” Lindelöf said. “We lost against one of the best countries in the world.”

Mbappé, however, had only one immediate priority after helping France progress.

“I’m looking forward to the changing room and the air conditioning,” he joked.