France Cruise into World Cup Last 16 with 3-0 Victory over Sweden

NEW JERSEY: (News Desk) – France booked their place in the FIFA World Cup last 16 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, powered by another outstanding performance from star forward Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe scored twice, in the 45th and 74th minutes, while Bradley Barcola added France’s second goal early in the second half to seal a comfortable win.

The French captain continued his remarkable form, taking his tournament tally to six goals, level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Mbappe has now scored 18 goals in just 18 FIFA World Cup matches, leaving him only one goal behind Messi’s all-time World Cup record of 19.

France dominated much of the contest, although Sweden managed to keep the favourites at bay until the closing moments of the first half. Mbappe finally broke the deadlock with a brilliant solo effort before Barcola doubled the lead in the 53rd minute. Mbappe completed his brace with a clinical finish in the 74th minute to secure France’s progression.

“We know what we have to do, and the whole team is focused on achieving our objective,” Mbappe said after the match.

France will now face Paraguay in the last 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Elsewhere, Norway celebrated their first-ever World Cup knockout victory after defeating Ivory Coast 2-1 in Arlington, Texas. Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute, taking his tournament tally to five goals. Norway will now meet Brazil in the next round.

In another knockout fixture, co-hosts Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca despite a one-hour delay caused by heavy rain and lightning. Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored in the first half to send Mexico into the last 16, where they will face either England or DR Congo.

Meanwhile, Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman announced his resignation following his team’s penalty shootout defeat to Morocco, saying he accepted full responsibility for the disappointing World Cup exit.