France reached the World Cup last 16 with a 3-0 win over Sweden at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday as Kylian Mbappe scored twice and stretched his tournament tally to six goals.
Didier Deschamps’ side controlled long spells of the match and found their breakthrough just before the interval. Mbappe combined with Ousmane Dembele and curled a finish beyond the goalkeeper in the 45th minute after France spent much of the opening half pressing Sweden back.
France carried that momentum into the second period and increased the pace after the restart. Bradley Barcola doubled the lead in the 53rd minute after Michael Olise threaded a precise pass into his run.
Olise repeatedly found space between Sweden’s midfield and defence. The winger drove at defenders, linked play quickly and created France’s most dangerous moments.
Mbappe completed his brace in the 74th minute after another Olise assist. The French captain timed his run, collected the pass and finished to put the game beyond Sweden.
France controlled possession and dictated the rhythm through midfield. Barcola, Dembele and Mbappe stretched Sweden across the pitch and forced their defenders into constant recovery runs.
Sweden searched for openings through Viktor Gyokeres and Anthony Elanga and produced several dangerous moments, but Mike Maignan protected France’s clean sheet with important saves.
France now move into the last 16 and will face Paraguay on Saturday. Mbappe also strengthened his position in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot after another clinical display.
