Mbappé brace sends France into World Cup last 16 as Sweden bow out in New Jersey

France beat Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Tuesday 30 June, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice and Bradley Barcola adding a third to send Les Bleus into the last 16 with authority.

Mbappé broke the deadlock just before the break, finishing from close range after a neatly worked short corner that saw Michael Olise play him through on goal. Barcola doubled the lead early in the second half, latching onto an Olise throughball and finishing clinically past Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström. Mbappé completed the scoring 16 minutes from time, receiving a precise threaded pass again from Olise before sweeping into the far corner for his 18th World Cup goal overall — his sixth of this tournament, drawing level with Argentina's Lionel Messi at the top of the 2026 scoring charts as of Tuesday evening.

Olise's haul of five assists for the tournament, all confirmed by Tuesday night, underscored his growing influence as France's most creative force in North America.

Sweden hold on, then fade

Sweden, who had reached the knockout stage as the third-placed team from Group F, offered some early resistance. Graham Potter's side — who had beaten Tunisia 5-1 in the group stage on 14 June — had a clear chance to level shortly after Mbappé's opener when Anthony Elanga cut the ball back for Elliot Stroud, who blazed high and wide. After that moment passed, France's superiority was total: ESPN's match data placed France's expected goals at 3.17 against Sweden's 0.67.

Sweden's earliest elimination since 1990 ends a run that Potter may nonetheless reflect on with some satisfaction, given the side had qualified for the tournament by finishing third in their group.

Deschamps returns

France manager Didier Deschamps, who missed his side's final group game against Norway to attend the funeral of his mother, was back on the touchline in New Jersey. Mbappé, France's captain, ran directly to Deschamps after scoring his second.

France topped Group I with wins over Senegal, Iraq and a narrow defeat to Norway in a final group fixture that did not affect their progression.

Next: Paraguay in Philadelphia

France now advance to the round of 16, where they will face Paraguay in Philadelphia. Paraguay eliminated Germany on penalties in their own round-of-32 tie on 29 June, beating the four-time champions 4-3 on spot kicks after a 1-1 draw, a result ESPN described as the latest major shock of the expanded 48-team tournament.

The last-16 tie in Philadelphia is scheduled for Saturday 4 July.