World Cup 2026: Kylian Mbappé scores 2 more goals, France cruises into Round of 16 over Sweden
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — On a sweltering afternoon, France beat Sweden 3-0 thanks to two more Kylian Mbappé goals to advance to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.
Mbappé scored his record ninth goal in the knockout stage of a World Cup in the first half, breaking a three-way tie with Brazil players Leônidas and Ronaldo for the most ever in elimination games at the tournament. Mbappé had another goal later in the second half.
France had a bevy of goal-scoring opportunities in the first 45 minutes, including in the 36th minute when Michael Olise successfully pulled off a wildly difficult bicycle kick, which hit off the post. The rebound came right to Ousmane Dembélé, who blasted a shot just wide of the top corner.
OLISE NEARLY SCORED A WORLDIE 🤯
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 30, 2026
What an attempt for the 24-year-old star! pic.twitter.com/KPEsGQh4qj
France had over 70% of the possession in the first half and far more scoring opportunities than Sweden (0.90 expected goals to 0.29) — and Les Blues were finally rewarded in the 45th minute, as Mbappé carved up the Sweden defense and fired a right-footed shot past the keeper and into the side netting for a 1-0 lead.
WHAT A GOAL FOR MBAPPÉ 🇫🇷
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 30, 2026
He slices through the Sweden defense to score his 5th goal of the tournament! pic.twitter.com/JePc6FZQJ4
At halftime, France was up to a -4000 favorite at sportsbooks (97.5% implied probability), but it would add to its lead shortly after the break, as Bradley Barcola scored in the 53rd minute off a beautiful assist from Olise following a bad Swedish giveaway near midfield.
2-0 LEAD FOR FRANCE 🇫🇷
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 30, 2026
Michael Olise sends the ball through perfectly to Bradley Barcola, who doubles France's advantage over Sweden! pic.twitter.com/402XXRbdgu
France continued on the front foot throughout the second half, and Mbappé finished off another gorgeous through-ball in the 74th minute from Olise to add to his record-setting total and make it 3-0. Mbappé now has six goals in this World Cup and 18 in 18 career World Cup matches. His two-goal performance also lifted him ahead of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. Both players have six goals, but Mbappé's two assists give him the edge.
France moves on to the Round of 16 to face Paraguay on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. Paraguay was a surprise winner in a penalty shootout over Germany in the first round of the knockout stage.
