Kylian Mbappe etched his identify additional into soccer historical past after changing into the all-time main goalscorer in FIFA World Cup knockout matches, scoring twice as France defeated Sweden 3-0 to e book their place within the final 16 in opposition to Paraguay.
The France captain took his tally of objectives in World Cup knockout matches to 10, surpassing each participant within the competitors’s historical past. His brace additionally moved him degree with Argentina captain Lionel Messi on the high of the Golden Boot standings, with each gamers now on six objectives on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Regardless of the scorching situations in New Jersey, France dominated proceedings from the opening whistle and seemed decided to place the sport past Sweden early on.
Mbappe thought he had opened the scoring within the twentieth minute, just for the offside flag to disclaim him. The striker then struck the put up moments later after being picked out by Jules Kounde’s low cross with the purpose at his mercy.
France continued to press, with Michael Olise rattling the woodwork with a spectacular scissor-kick effort earlier than Ousmane Dembele fired the rebound large.
Sweden goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom produced a collection of fantastic saves to frustrate the French assault, however he may do little to cease Mbappe from making historical past simply earlier than half-time.
The ahead raced onto a wonderfully weighted go from Dembele, beat Viktor Gyokeres with a intelligent stepover, and calmly slotted the ball into the far nook to turn into the outright main scorer in World Cup knockout historical past.
Sweden had an instantaneous probability to reply after the restart, however Elliot Stroud fired over from shut vary when introduced with a golden alternative.
France took full management eight minutes into the second half when Bradley Barcola latched onto an clever go from Olise and drilled his effort into the close to put up to double the benefit.
Mbappe then put the consequence past doubt within the 74th minute. As soon as once more, Olise supplied the help, discovering the French captain in area earlier than he curled a composed end previous Widell Zetterstrom for his second purpose of the match and sixth of the match.
The victory sends France into the final 16, the place they may face Paraguay, who surprised Germany on penalties, in Philadelphia on Saturday, 4 July.
For Mbappe, nevertheless, the night time belonged to historical past. Already one of many best gamers of his era, the French celebrity has now turn into probably the most prolific participant ever in World Cup knockout soccer.
