Mbappe brace and Olise wizardry send France into World Cup last 16 with 3-0 win over Sweden

Match overview

France entered the knockout stage after a perfect group campaign with three wins from three, firing eight goals and conceding none. Their opponents Sweden had a bumpier ride: a 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia, a 1-5 loss to the Netherlands, and a draw with Japan which squeezed them through in third place. The round-of-32 tie at the 2026 World Cup never looked in doubt once the French found their rhythm.

Key moments

Mbappe tested Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström early and thought he had opened the scoring in the 21st minute, only for the offside flag to cut short his celebration. He then rattled the post after a cross from Jules Koundé in the 32nd minute. The breakthrough came in the final minute of the half when Ousmane Dembélé slipped a pass through to Mbappe, who cut inside and curled a precise finish into the far corner.

Olise's artistry

Michael Olise was at the heart of almost every dangerous French move. In the 36th minute he attempted a spectacular bicycle kick from 15 metres that beat the keeper but struck the post, drawing awe from commentators.

“Olise was close to the most beautiful goal of the World Cup, how did that not go in! A work of art, if not for the frame of the goal it would be a painting to hang in the Louvre.”

His creative spark bore fruit after the break. In the 53rd minute he drove forward through midfield and threaded a perfect pass for Bradley Barcola, who lashed the ball past Zetterström to make it 2-0. Olise then delivered his fifth assist of the tournament in the 74th minute, picking out Mbappe for an emphatic finish that completed his brace and made it 3-0.

Mbappe's record night

The two goals took Mbappe to five for this World Cup and 17 overall in the tournament's history. More significantly, his second strike was his ninth in the knockout phase, lifting him above Brazilians Leonidas and Ronaldo (both on eight) to set a new all-time record for World Cup knockout goals.

Kylian Mbappe (France)9

Ronaldo (Brazil)8

Leônidas (Brazil)8

Kylian Mbappe (France)

9 goals

Ronaldo (Brazil)

8 goals

Leônidas (Brazil)

8 goals

Data from the article text

What's next

Coach Didier Deschamps, who had briefly left the squad to attend his mother's funeral, returned just before the match and was embraced by Mbappe after the opening goal. He was able to withdraw both Olise and Mbappe late on to a standing ovation. France will face Paraguay in the round of 16 on Saturday, 4 July, at 23:00. Paraguay reached this stage by eliminating Germany in another round-of-32 surprise. Sweden bowed out after Viktor Gyökeres forced a fine late save from Mike Maignan but could not find a consolation.