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title: “Mbappe Breaks Ronaldo’s World Cup Record as France Cruises to Round of 16”
date: 2026-07-01
category: Sports
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# Mbappe Breaks Ronaldo’s World Cup Record as France Cruises to Round of 16
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**Kylian Mbappe has etched his name further into World Cup history, surpassing Brazilian legend Ronaldo’s knockout-stage goal record with a stunning brace that powered France to a dominant 3-0 victory over Sweden in the Round of 32.**
The 2026 World Cup continues to deliver unforgettable moments, and Tuesday’s clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was no exception. France, the 2018 champions and 2022 runners-up, showed exactly why they are considered heavy favorites to lift the trophy this summer.
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## Mbappe’s Record-Breaking Afternoon
The record-breaking moment came in the 45th minute. After a sharp give-and-go with Ousmane Dembele, Mbappe cut past Sweden’s Viktor Gyokeres before rifling a clinical finish past goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom. That goal was Mbappe’s **ninth in World Cup knockout stages**, moving him past the mark previously shared by Brazilian icons Leonidas and Ronaldo Nazário.
“I’m very aware of who I am, how I play, what I shall do, but it’s not just about me,” Mbappe said after the match. “The entire team is aware of what should be done. It is a new competition that has started today.”
He wasn’t finished yet. After Bradley Barcola doubled France’s lead early in the second half, Mbappe added a third in the 74th minute, latching onto a perfectly weighted pass from Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise to finish expertly into the far corner.
## Golden Boot Race Heats Up
Mbappe’s sixth goal of the 2026 tournament moved him level with Argentina legend Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Perhaps more significantly, Mbappe now boasts **18 career World Cup goals** — just one behind Messi’s all-time total of 19.
At 27 years old, the Real Madrid superstar has plenty of time to chase down Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 World Cup wins — currently held by Klose at 16, with Mbappe sitting at 14.
## Emotional Tribute to Deschamps
After making history, Mbappe raced to the touchline to embrace head coach Didier Deschamps in a poignant moment. Deschamps had missed France’s final group-stage match against Norway to attend his mother’s funeral.
“He knows that he will never be alone with us and we will support him,” Mbappe said.
Deschamps responded: “We’re on a mission — so am I with them.”
## What’s Next for France
The 3-0 victory marked France’s biggest win in the knockout stages since the 1998 final against Brazil. Les Bleus will now face Paraguay in the Round of 16 on **July 4 in Philadelphia**.
| Upcoming Match | Date | Venue | Time (ET) |
|—|—|—|—|
| France vs Paraguay (Round of 16) | July 4, 2026 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia | TBD |
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## FAQ
**Q: What World Cup record did Mbappe break?**
A: Mbappe broke the record for most goals scored in World Cup knockout stages with 9, surpassing the previous mark held by Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Leonidas.
**Q: How many World Cup goals does Mbappe have now?**
A: He has 18 career World Cup goals, just one behind Lionel Messi’s all-time total of 19 and on pace to challenge Miroslav Klose’s record of 16.
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