France booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden at the MetLife Stadium on Tuesday. Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Bradley Barcola added the other goal as Didier Deschamps' side dominated proceedings to eliminate Graham Potter's men.
France controlled possession from the outset and thought they had gone ahead in the 20th minute when Mbappe raced through and finished confidently, however, the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside. The French captain remained at the heart of the action as Les Bleus pilled on the pressure. Mbappe hit the post from a Jules Kounde cutback before Michael Olise's spectacular bicycle-kick effort also crashed against the woodwork. The rebound fell to Ousmane Dembele who fired a first-time shot just narrowly wide of the top corner.
The breakthrough finally arrived just before half-time. Mbappe collected the ball on the left edge of the area, cut inside his marker and curled a superb finish into the far corner beyond Jacob Widell Zetterstrom. Sweden almost found an immediate response in stoppage time, but Elliot Stroud failed to convert Anthony Elanga's cross from close range.
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France doubled their lead eight minutes after the restart. Olise threaded an inch-perfect pass through Victor Lindelof's legs to release Barcola, who calmly fired past Zetterstrom to put Les Bleus firmly in control.
Mbappe completed his brace in the 74th minute, finishing off another swift French move to seal a comfortable victory and send France into the last 16 without conceding a goal in the match.
The brace took Mbappe's tally to six goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, drawing him level with Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings. Olise also finished with two assists as France maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament.
France will now face Paraguay in the Round of 16 on July 4 at Philadelphia Stadium after the South Americans stunned Germany in a penalty shootout in the previous round.
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