# World Cup 2026: France Destroys Sweden 3-0, Mbappe Ties Messi for Golden Boot Lead
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**The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout rounds are delivering incredible drama — and France just sent a chilling message to every team left in the tournament.**
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## France 3-0 Sweden: The Story
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France steamrolled Sweden 3-0 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, booking their spot in the Round of 16 against Paraguay. The result was never in doubt from the moment Mbappe opened the scoring just before halftime.
**Mbappe’s milestone night:**
– Scored his 9th and 10th World Cup knockout-stage goals — a new all-time record
– **18 career World Cup goals**, just one behind Lionel Messi’s all-time record
– **6 goals this tournament** — tied with Messi for the Golden Boot race
– His 7th World Cup match with 2+ goals, three more than any other player in history
## The Full Rundown
France absolutely dominated. Here’s how it went down:
| Minute | Event |
|——–|——-|
| 20′ | Mbappe denied by offside flag |
| 28′ | Olise hits the post with an acrobatic scissor kick |
| 45′ | **Mbappe scores** — runs onto Dembele’s pass, stepovers Gyokeres, fires into far corner |
| 53′ | **Barcola scores** — cute Olise pass, rifled near post |
| 74′ | **Mbappe’s second** — curls past Zetterstrom after another Olise assist |
**Key stats:** France had **25 attempts** on goal (their most in a World Cup match since 1998) and became the first team ever to score 3+ goals in **five consecutive World Cup matches**.
## “Can Anyone Stop France?”
That’s the question everyone’s asking. And honestly? There’s no easy answer.
– **Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele** has 6 goal involvements (4 goals, 2 assists) this tournament
– **Michael Olise** now has **5 assists** — the most in the tournament
– France’s front four (Mbappe, Dembele, Olise, Barcola) are playing at a level nobody else has matched
Even Sweden boss Graham Potter admitted: *”I haven’t seen a better team.”*
Former England striker Ian Wright went further: *”France are one of the most clear favourites I have ever seen in a World Cup tournament.”*
## What Else Happened in the World Cup?
| Match | Result | Story |
|——-|——–|——-|
| Paraguay vs Germany | **Paraguay won on penalties** | Massive upset — Germany sent packing! |
| Norway vs Ivory Coast | **Norway 2-1** | Haaland scores, Norway into last 16 |
| Morocco vs Netherlands | **Morocco won on penalties** | African hopes alive |
| Brazil vs Japan | **Brazil 1-0** | Last-gasp Martinelli strike |
| Mexico vs Ecuador | Postponed (weather) | Resuming at Azteca |
## ⚠️ England’s Injury Worry
England faces DR Congo in the last 32, but right-backs **Jarell Quansah and Reece James** are both ruled out with injuries. Thomas Tuchel confirmed the team will stick to Gareth Southgate’s penalty shootout blueprint — a sign they’re preparing for a tight knockout battle.
## Upcoming Key Fixtures
| Match | Date | Venue |
|——-|——|——-|
| **France vs Paraguay** (R16) | Saturday, July 4 | Philadelphia |
| England vs DR Congo (Last 32) | TBD | TBD |
| Brazil vs TBD (R16) | TBD | TBD |
| Norway vs TBD (R16) | TBD | TBD |
## FAQ
**Is France the favorite to win the 2026 World Cup?**
Right now, yes. Their attacking firepower, depth, and tournament experience make them the team to beat. Paraguay stunned Germany, but stopping this French attack is a different challenge entirely.
**How many World Cup goals does Mbappe have now?**
18 total — just one behind Lionel Messi’s all-time record of 19. At 27 years old, Mbappe is on pace to smash that record in this tournament alone.
**Who are the Golden Boot leaders?**
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are tied with 6 goals each. Michael Olise leads in assists with 5.
**Has France ever won the World Cup before?**
Yes — France won in 1998 (hosted) and 2018 (Russia). They were runners-up in 2022 (Qatar), losing to Argentina on penalties.
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## Final Verdict
France looks unstoppable right now. Mbappe is in his prime, Olise is pulling strings, and the whole team is firing on all cylinders. Paraguay pulled off a miracle against Germany, but unless they find something extraordinary, France should cruise into the quarterfinals.
**Buy it if:** You love elite-level attacking football
**Skip it if:** You’re a Sweden fan (sorry)
What do you think — can anyone stop France in 2026? Drop your thoughts below! 🇫🇷⚽
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*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, PC Master Deals earns from qualifying purchases.*