EAST RUTHERFORD: Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France defeated Sweden 3-0 in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, extending their perfect run to four consecutive victories and booking a last-16 clash with Paraguay.
France dominated proceedings from start to finish at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, controlling possession and creating the bulk of the scoring opportunities before 80,663 spectators.
Mbappe opened the scoring just before halftime, finishing off a flowing team move after France had already struck the woodwork twice through Mbappe and Michael Olise.
Bradley Barcola doubled France’s advantage in the 53rd minute after being set up by Olise, who later provided another superb assist for Mbappe to score his second and seal a comfortable victory.
The brace took Mbappe’s tally at this World Cup to six goals, drawing him level with Lionel Messi in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
The France captain has now scored 18 goals in World Cup history, leaving him just one short of Messi’s overall tally of 19.
Mbappe celebrated his opening goal by embracing head coach Didier Deschamps, who had missed France’s final group-stage match against Norway after returning home following the death of his mother.
Deschamps, who guided France to the 2018 World Cup title after captaining the nation’s 1998 championship-winning team, is set to step down after the tournament.
France will face Paraguay in the Round of 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia as they continue their pursuit of a third World Cup title.
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