# France 3-0 Sweden: Mbappe Breaks Knockout-Stage Record as World Cup Heats Up
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 is delivering knockout drama across North America, and Tuesday’s slate did not disappoint. France sent a statement to the rest of the field with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, headlined by yet another historic performance from Kylian MbappĂ©.
## Mbappe Closes in on Messi’s All-Time Record
Kylian MbappĂ© scored twice against Sweden, taking his World Cup knockout-stage tally to **10 goals — the most in competition history**. He also moved to within one goal of Lionel Messi’s all-time World Cup record of 19 goals.
The 27-year-old French superstar now has **six goals in the 2026 tournament**, tied with Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot lead. His pace, movement, and clinical finishing were simply too much for Sweden to handle.
**Match Stats:**
| Stat | France | Sweden |
|——|——–|——–|
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 3 |
| Corners | 8 | 4 |
### Key Moments
– **42’** — MbappĂ© opened the scoring just before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive lapse
– **57’** — Bradley Barcola doubled the lead with an excellent individual effort
– **73’** — MbappĂ© added his second to put the game to bed
Sweden manager Graham Potter admitted after the match: *”We had to be perfect to win today, and even if we were, I’m not sure that would have been enough. France are the better team, they have incredible players.”*
## Norway Makes History
In the earlier Round of 32 match, Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Erling Haaland led his nation to its **first-ever knockout-stage victory** in World Cup history, continuing Norway’s Cinderella run.
## Weather Delay in Mexico City
The nightcap between co-host Mexico and Ecuador was delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms and lightning in the vicinity of Estadio Azteca. FIFA pushed kick-off to 10 PM ET, prioritizing player and fan safety.
## What’s Next for France
France advances to face Paraguay in Philadelphia on **Saturday, July 4** — fittingly, America’s 250th Independence Day. Paraguay stunned Germany on penalties in the Round of 32, so Les Bleus will need to stay sharp.
## Today’s World Cup Matches (Wednesday, July 1)
The Round of 32 continues with three more fixtures:
| Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|——-|——-|———–|
| England vs. TBD | TBD | 12:00 PM |
| Argentina vs. TBD | TBD | 4:00 PM |
| Portugal vs. TBD | TBD | 8:00 PM |
*Full schedule subject to knockout bracket completion.*
## FAQ
### Who is leading the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race?
Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Kylian MbappĂ© (France) are tied at the top with six goals each. Erling Haaland (Norway) and VinĂcius JĂşnior (Brazil) are close behind with four each.
### Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup in the US?
All matches are broadcast on Fox Network and Telemundo, with streaming available on fuboTV. Check local listings for exact channels.
### Has any team been eliminated in a surprise result?
Yes — Germany’s shock penalty shootout loss to Paraguay in the Round of 32 was one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. It marks Germany’s earliest World Cup exit since 2018.
### When is the World Cup 2026 final?
The final will be held on **Sunday, July 19, 2026** at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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## Final Verdict
France looks like the most complete team in the tournament so far. With MbappĂ© in world-beating form and a deep squad full of match-winners, Les Bleus have to be considered favorites to lift the trophy. That said, with Argentina, Brazil, and a dark horse like Norway still in the mix, there’s plenty of drama ahead.
**Score:** 9/10 for entertainment value
> **Buy it if:** You love world-class football and witnessing history in the making
> **Skip it if:** You’re still recovering from Germany’s early exit
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*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, PC Master Deals earns from qualifying purchases.*
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