EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey : Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France produced a scintillating attacking display to beat Sweden 3-0 on Tuesday and book their place in the World Cup last 16, where they will face surprise package Paraguay.
The scoreline barely reflected France’s dominance as Didier Deschamps’ side repeatedly carved open the Swedish defence, struck the woodwork and squandered a host of chances in a one-sided Round of 32 contest.
Mbappe was the driving force behind the performance, taking his tally for the tournament to six goals and moving to 18 career World Cup goals, one behind Lionel Messi on the all-time list.
By the final whistle, Sweden had spent 90 minutes chasing shadows as France’s pace, movement and crisp passing proved too much to contain in sweltering conditions at MetLife Stadium.
With temperatures officially reaching 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit), the heat appeared to sap Sweden’s energy as France maintained relentless pressure throughout.
Mbappe threatened early, forcing a save with a long-range effort in the 16th minute before having a goal ruled out for offside four minutes later.
The match remained goalless when play paused for a mandatory hydration break, drawing loud boos from supporters who have repeatedly voiced frustration with the stoppages introduced during the tournament.
The crowd soon switched its attention to a stadium-wide rendition of Jon Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”, but there was no reprieve for Sweden once play resumed.
Mbappe struck the post just after the half-hour before finally breaking the deadlock on the stroke of halftime.
Collecting a pass from Ousmane Dembele, the France captain skipped past his marker and fired a right-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
The goal marked the sixth World Cup strike created by the Mbappe-Dembele partnership, the most by any duo in tournament history, moving them ahead of Germany’s Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose, and Poland’s Grzegorz Lato and Andrzej Szarmach.
France’s players celebrated the breakthrough by running to embrace coach Didier Deschamps, who had returned to the United States after attending his mother’s funeral.
The French resumed after the break with the same attacking intensity.
After narrowly missing several opportunities, Bradley Barcola doubled the lead in the 53rd minute, lifting the ball over Zetterstrom after another flowing move.
Mbappe completed the scoring 20 minutes later, collecting a perfectly weighted through ball from Michael Olise before delicately clipping his finish over the advancing goalkeeper.
Deschamps withdrew his captain in the 84th minute to a standing ovation after another commanding display that underlined France’s status among the favourites for the title.
France will now face Paraguay in the last 16 after the South Americans stunned Germany on penalties.
