World Cup 2026: Kylian Mbappe scores two more goals, France cruises into Round of 16

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — On a sweltering afternoon in New Jersey, France beat Sweden 3-0 thanks to two more Kylian Mbappe goals to advance to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

Mbappe 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. Mbappe 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 Dembele, who blasted a shot just wide of the top corner.

France had over 70% of the possession in the first half and far more more scoring opportunities than Sweden (0.90 expected goals to 0.29) — and Les Blues was finally rewarded in the 45th minute, as Mbappe carved up the Sweden defense and fired a right-footed shot past the keeper and into the side netting for a 1-0 lead.

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.

France continued on the front foot throughout the second half, and Mbappe finished off another gorgeous through-ball in the 74th minute from Olise to add to his record-setting total and make it 3-0. Mbappe now has six goals in this World Cup and 18 total goals in 18 World Cup games.

France moves on to the Round of 16 to face Paraguay on Saturday, July 4 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.