France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his first objective with Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembele and Lucas Digne in the course of the Spherical of 32 match in opposition to Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US, June 30, 2026. — ReutersMbappe takes World Cup tally to 18 in simply 18 appearances.Barcola additionally scores as France thrash Sweden 3-0.Haaland nets late winner as Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1.
Kylian Mbappe prolonged his red-hot scoring streak to fireplace France previous Sweden and into the final 16 of the World Cup on Tuesday as Erling Haaland sealed Norway’s first-ever knockout spherical victory in a 2-1 defeat of Ivory Coast.
Mbappe took his tally for the event to 6 objectives — making him joint top-scorer alongside Lionel Messi — with an excellent double as France strolled previous the Swedes 3-0 on the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The prolific French striker’s newest brace took his profession World Cup objectives document to an unbelievable 18 in 18 matches, one behind Argentina celebrity Messi’s all-time document of 19 objectives.
Bradley Barcola scored France’s different objective as Les Bleus produced one other dazzling exhibition of attacking soccer that underscored their standing as favourites for the title.
Sweden supervisor Graham Potter had warned beforehand that his staff must produce the sport of their lives to have an opportunity of containing France’s multi-pronged offensive arsenal.
However after France had been held at bay for a lot of the opening 45 minutes, Mbappe lastly broke the Scandinavians’ resistance on the stroke of halftime, jinking into house earlier than rifling residence.
Barcola made it 2-0 on 53 minutes earlier than Mbappe added a second within the 74th minute to seal a victory that sends France into a final 16 duel with Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday.
“I know who I am and what I’ve got to do, but it’s not just me, I think the team is perfectly aware of what we have to do here,” Mbappe instructed French broadcaster beIN Sports activities.
Haaland rescues Norway
Earlier Tuesday, in-form Manchester Metropolis striker Haaland fired Noway to their first-ever World Cup knockout win in a 2-1 defeat of Ivory Coast at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Haaland swept in an 86th-minute winner to slam the door on Ivory Coast’s hopes of a fightback after Amad Diallo had equalised for the Africans following Antonio Nusa’s opener for Norway.
Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates scoring their second objective with teammates in opposition to Ivory Coast in Spherical of 32 match at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US, June 30, 2026. — Reuters
The Norwegians — crushed in each of their earlier opening knockout spherical appearances in 1938 and 1998 — will face Brazil within the final 16 on Sunday with a spot within the quarter-finals up for grabs.
Haaland will head into that assembly brimming with confidence after taking his tally for the event to 5 objectives, one behind joint top-scorers Messi and Mbappe.
Ivory Coast’s Diallo got here inside a whisker of grabbing an injury-time equaliser, however his curling free-kick destined for the highest nook was saved by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.
The victory was a vindication for Norway coach Stale Solbakken, who had confronted stinging criticism after benching Haaland and fielding a second-string staff of their ultimate group sport, a 4-1 thrashing by France, final week.
Solbakken saluted Haaland because the “greatest goalscorer in the world” after Norway’s win.
“To score five goals in the World Cup in three games, for a little country like Norway… I wouldn’t swap him for anyone,” Solbakken mentioned.
“Because he’s the greatest goalscorer in the world of football today.”
