In Fiji:

July 1, 2026, 3:43 pm
Fiji News, Sports, World

Mbappe enhances his World Cup legacy with a brace in France’s comfortable Round of 32 win against Sweden.

Fiji One News Team
| [email protected]
Story By:

Kylian Mbappe moved into outright second place in the FIFA World Cup all-time leading soccer charts as France swept aside Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium to book their place in the Round of 16.

Mbappe struck twice to take his World Cup tally to 18 goals, now two clear of Miroslav Klose and only one behind Lionel Messi – with further movement between the leading duo almost certain in the coming days. Bradley Barcola was also on target as Les Bleus continued their perfect start to World Cup 2026.

Buoyed by a flawless group-stage campaign, France delivered an attacking masterclass in a scintillating first-half display. The 1998 and 2018 World Cup winners unleashed 15 attempts on goal before the interval, with Mbappe seeing one effort ruled out for offside and rattling the woodwork with another. Michael Olise also came agonisingly close, his spectacular overhead kick crashing against the frame of the goal.

Their relentless pressure finally told on the stroke of half-time. Latching on to a short corner on the left, Mbappe glided into the penalty area before unleashing a ferocious drive that arrowed into the far corner.

There was no let-up for Blågult after the restart as France continued to lay siege to the Swedish goal. Olise slipped Barcola through for an emphatic finish from inside the penalty area, before Jacob Widell Zetterstrom kept the scoreline down with saves to deny Jules Kounde and the irrepressible Olise.

Mbappe completed his brace in the 74th minute after another brilliant assist from Olise, with the France No10 sweeping home to make a half dozen at World Cup 2026. The France captain will have the chance to add to his haul when France face Paraguay in the Round of 16 at Philadelphia Stadium on 4 July.