France booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sweden, as Kylian Mbappe delivered another outstanding performance and made history with a brilliant brace.
Didier Deschamps’ side dominated the knockout encounter from start to finish and were rewarded just before the halftime whistle when Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 45th minute, giving Les Bleus a deserved lead heading into the break.
France maintained their dominance after the restart and doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute through Bradley Barcola, whose composed finish put Sweden firmly on the back foot.
Mbappe completed his brace in the 74th minute to seal an emphatic victory and ensure France progressed comfortably to the Round of 16.
The second goal was another landmark in the 26-year-old’s glittering career. It took his tally at this year’s World Cup to six goals, drawing him level with Lionel Messi as the tournament’s joint-leading scorer. The strike also saw Mbappe reach 18 World Cup goals in just 18 World Cup appearances, making him the second-highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
France’s dominant display reinforced their credentials as one of the favourites to win the tournament, with their attack once again proving too strong for the opposition.
Les Bleus will now turn their attention to the Round of 16, where they will aim to continue their quest for another World Cup title, inspired by the remarkable form of Mbappe.
(The Whistler)
