Mbappé scores twice to tie Messi for World Cup lead with 6 goals, France beats Sweden 3-0

Kylian Mbappé scored twice as France beat Sweden 3-0 on Tuesday to set up a round of 16 match against Paraguay. The win, at MetLife Stadium in hot, humid conditions, marked Mbappé’s third two-goal game of the tournament and a scoring record in World Cup knockout rounds. He opened the scoring with a crossover step in the 45th minute and added his sixth goal in the 74th minute to tie Lionel Messi for the tournament lead. Mbappé has 18 goals in 18 World Cup games, one behind Messi’s all-time record of 19 in 29 matches. Bradley Barcola scored in the 53rd minute, while Michael Olise recorded five assists, the most by anyone in a World Cup since Thomas Hassler’s five in 1994. Sweden’s Graham Potter praised France’s quality but saw his side go out early. France plays Paraguay on July 4 in Philadelphia and could face Canada or Morocco in the quarterfinal five days later.