Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in France's commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday, bringing him within one goal of Lionel Messi's World Cup scoring record. The win also secured France's passage into the last 16 of the tournament.
Mbappe's first goal came in the 45th minute, assisted by Ousmane Dembele. Mbappe showcased his skill with a stepover and two touches to curl the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box. Bradley Barcola extended France's lead shortly after halftime, with Michael Olise providing the assist. Olise later set up Mbappe for his second goal and France's third with 15 minutes remaining, sealing the routine victory.
Didier Deschamps, returning to the touchline after the recent death of his mother, watched his team achieve a historic feat by scoring three or more goals in five consecutive World Cup games. France's attacking lineup, featuring Mbappe, Olise, and Dembele, is considered one of the most formidable in the tournament. Olise contributed two assists in the match, bringing his tournament tally to five.
Sweden started with intensity, pressing France and causing some early difficulty for defenders William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano. However, they soon retreated as France's attack began to find openings. Mbappe had a goal disallowed for offside earlier in the first half, and Adrien Rabiot was denied by the Swedish goalkeeper. Both Mbappe and Olise also hit the woodwork before France's breakthrough.
With this performance, Mbappe has now scored 18 World Cup goals in as many matches. The victory positions France as strong contenders, with many anticipating a potential rematch of the 2022 final against Messi's Argentina in the tournament's later stages. Olise was substituted in the final five minutes, receiving a standing ovation from the French contingent in attendance.
