Kylian Mbappe became the player with the most goals in World Cup knockout matches as his two goals led France to a dominant 3-0 victory over Sweden at MetLife Stadium.
The win was France’s biggest in a World Cup knockout match since its 3-0 victory over Brazil in the 1998 final.
France also became the first team in FIFA World Cup history to score three or more goals in five consecutive matches.
“I’m very aware of who I am, how I play, what I shall do, but it’s not just about me,” Mbappe said through a translator.
“The entire team is aware of what should be done. It is a new competition that has started today. We did play well, but we were timid. We could have done better at the beginning.”
After several missed chances in the first half, Kylian Mbappe gave France the lead in the 45th minute. Mbappe and Michael Olise had both hit the woodwork before the France captain finally made the breakthrough.
The goal was Mbappe’s ninth in the knockout stage of the World Cup, moving him ahead of Brazilian legends Leônidas and Ronaldo for the most in tournament history.
Kylian Mbappe scored his second goal of the match in the 74th minute. He timed his run perfectly to meet Olise’s defense-splitting pass before curling the ball past Zetterstrom. The finish was almost a replica of his opener in the first half.
Mbappe’s brace also moved him level with Lionel Messi on six goals in this World Cup’s scoring charts as the race for the Golden Boot continues.
With 18 goals in 18 World Cup matches, the Real Madrid star moved one goal behind Messi on the all-time World Cup scoring list. Argentina’s captain has played in 29 World Cup matches in his career.
France will face Paraguay in the Round of 16 of the World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium on Saturday, July 4.
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